In the Old Testament, Gideon - (Warrior) - is a military hero and spiritual leader who delivered Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. As a young lad, Gideon had seen the land oppressed by the Midanites and Amalekites for seven years. Like invading locusts, the roving bands camped on the land of the Israelites. At harvest time, they destroyed the corps and animals and plundered the farmers' houses. Israel misfortune was apparently caused by their spiritual relapse into Baal worship. ( Israel relapses into idolatry )
The Israelites did what displeases Yahweh; Yahweh gave them over for seven years into the hands of Midian. - Judg. 6:1 -
As young Gideon was threshing wheat, the angel of the Lord appeared with strong words of encouragement: "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor and surely, I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man. Gideon then asked the messenger for a sign that God had selected him for divine service.
The angel of Yahweh came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah which belonged to Joash of Abiezer. Gideon is son was threshing wheat inside the wine-press to keep it hidden from Midian, when the angel of Yahweh appeared to him and said, 'Yahweh is with you, valiant warrior!' Gideon answered him, 'Forgive me, my lord, but if Yahweh is with us, then why is it that all this is happening to us now? And where are all the wonders our ancestors tell us of when they say, "Did not Yahweh bring us out of Egypt?" But now Yahweh has deserted us; he has abandoned us to Midian.'
At his Yahweh turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength now upholding you, and you will rescue Israel from the power of Midian. Do I not send you myself?' Gideon answered him, 'Forgive me, my lord, but how can I deliver Israel?' My clan, you must know, is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least important in my family.' Yahweh answered him, 'I will be with you and you shall crush Midian as though it were a single man.' Gideon said to him, 'If I have found favour in your sight, give me a sign that it is you who speak to me. I beg you, do not go away until I come back, I will bring you my offering and set it down before you.' And he answered, 'I will stay until you return.' - Judg. 6:11-18 -
After Gideon had crushed Midian and returned from the victory. he then, prepared an offering and placed it on an altar. The angel touched the offering with his staff, and fire consumed it. - Judg. 6:19-21 - Gideon then recognized his personal call to serve God.
Gideon's first assignment was to destroy his father's altar of Baal in the family's backyard. This act required great courage, for Gideon feared his father's house and the men of the city who must have worshiped at the altar. For this reason, Gideon and ten servants destroyed the altar of Baal and a wood idol by night and erected an altar to the Lord. Gideon immediately presented an offering to the Lord on the altar.
When they discovered that the altar to Baal had been destroyed, the household and the community were outraged. When it was learned that "Gideon the son of Joash has destroyed the altar of Baal." Joash was called to account for his son's action. To his credit, Joash defended Gideon by implying that an authentic god should require no defense. "If he is a god, let him plead for himself." From that day on, Gideon was called Jerubbaal, meaning "Let the Baal plead." - Judg. 6:25-32 -
As the oppression of the Midianites intensified, Gideon sent out messengers to all Manasseh and the surrounding tribes to rally volunteers to Israel's cause. When Gideon's volunteers assembled, about 32,000 citizen soldiers stood in the ranks. Although there were 135,000 Midianites camped in a nearby valley, God directed Gideon to thin out the ranks. After dismissing the fearful and afraid, only 10,000 remained. Gideon's band was now outnumbered about 13 to 1.
"There are still too many." God told Gideon. "Bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there." Those who lapped the water with their hands, never taking their eyes from the horizon, were retained in Gideon's army; those who got down on their knees to drink, forgetting to keep watch for the enemy were dismissed. Now only 300 soldiers remained. The Midianites outnumbered Gideon's band 450 to 1. But God and Gideon had a secret plan!
Gideon divided the army into three companies. Then he gave each man a trumpet, a pitcher, and a torch. At the appointed time, 300 trumpets blasted the air, 300 hands raised their pitchers and smashed them to bits, 300 burning torches pierced the darkness, and 300 warriors cried, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon."
The Midianites were thrown into panic. In the confusion, some committed suicide or killed their comrades. The remaining soldiers fled. The enemies of Israel were completely routed, and Israel's homeland was secure. It was a glorious victory for God and for Gideon, who became an instant hero.
Gideon and his men pursued the fleeing enemy. Many of them were killed or captured by Gideon's allies. Two Midianites kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, were captured and killed for their murderous deeds.
As a conquering warrior, Gideon was invited to become king, but he declined. Modest and devout, he was careful not to grasp at the power and glory that belonged to God. After he retired to his home, Israel was blessed with 40 years of peace.
Through the life and exploits of Gideon, God reveals much about Himself and the preparation which His leaders need for divine service. Gideon shows that God calls leaders from unlikely situations, Gideon was a poor farmer's son who worked with his hands, and his father was an idol worshiper. Still, he was an effective leader in God's service.
Gideon teaches that God prefers a few dedicated and disciplined disciples to throngs of uncommitted workers. God can win victories with a fully committed minority. Another leadership lesson from Gideon is that a leader's spiritual life is sustained by regular worship. Devout Gideon appears to have worshiped God frequently - in times of personal crisis as well as celebration. - Judg. 6:1 to 8:35 -
After Gideon's death, the people of Israel again began to prostitute themselves to the Baals, and took Baal-berith for their god. The Israelites no longer remembered Yahweh their God, who had rescued them from all the enemies round them. And towards the family of Jerubbaal-Gideon-they remained ungrateful for all its good deeds to Israel. - Judg. 8:33-35 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Monday, August 8, 2016
Saturday, July 16, 2016
To understand the principle of the Virgin Mary is to understand the Christian religion. In part, this is because an understanding of the principle of the Virgin Mary depends upon some understanding of other aspects of Christian practice.
What the Catholic Christian faith believes about Virgin Mary is based on what it believes about Christ Jesus, and what it teaches about Virgin Mary illuminates in turn its faith in Christ Jesus. - CCC 487 -
Saint Cyril of Alexandria understanding of the significance of the title Theotokos ( Mother of God ) is given succinctly in his Third Letter to Nestorius which is included in the documents of the ecumenical Council of Ephesus. In the passage quoted below, Saint Cyril's explains that the title indicates Virgin Mary's status as the one who conceived and bore the Word of God incarnate, in consequence of which all human life has the possibility of being sanctified from the moment of conception.
Therefore, because the holy virgin bore in the flesh God who has united hypostatically with the flesh, for that reason we call her Mother of God ( Theotokos ) not as though the nature of the Word had the beginning of its existence from the flesh:
In the beginning was the Word:
the Word was with God
and the Word was God. - John 1:1 -
He made the ages and is co-eternal with the Father and craftsman of all things, but because, as we have said, He united to Himself hypostatically the human and underwent a birth according to the flesh from her womb. This was not as though He needed necessarily or for his own nature a birth in time and in the last times of this age, but in order that He might bless the beginning of our existence, in order that seeing that it was a woman that had given birth to Him, united to the flesh, the curse against the whole race should therefore cease, which was consigning all our earthly bodies to death, and in order that the removal through Him of the curse, - Gen. 3:16 - should demonstrate the truth of the words of the prophets, - 1 Cor. 15:54; Is. 25:8; Rev. 7:17, 21:4 - and again, it is for this cause that we say that in His economy He blessed marriage and, when invited, went down to Cana in Galilee with His holy apostles. - John 2:1-11 -
To the woman God said;
'I will multiply your pains in child bearing,
you shall give birth to your children in pain,
Your yearning shall be for your husband,
yet he will lord it over you.' - Gen. 3:16 -
He will destroy Death for ever,
The Lord Yahweh will wipe away
the tears from every cheek;
he will take away his people's shame
everywhere on earth,
for Yahweh has said so. - Is. 25:8 -
When this perishable nature has put on imperishability, and when this mortal nature has put on immortality, then, the words of scripture will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? - 1 Cor. 15:54 -
They will never hunger or thirst again; neither the sun nor scorching wind will ever plague them, because the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. - Rev. 7:17 -
He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; their will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone. - Rev. 21:4 -
Three days later there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' Jesus said, 'Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.' His mother said to the servants,'Do whatever he tells you.' There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablution that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water' and they filled them to the brim. 'Draw some out now' he told them 'and take it to the steward.' They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from - only the servants who had drawn the water knew - the steward called the bridegroom and said, 'People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.'
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and the brothers, but they stayed there only a few days. - John 2:1-12 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
What the Catholic Christian faith believes about Virgin Mary is based on what it believes about Christ Jesus, and what it teaches about Virgin Mary illuminates in turn its faith in Christ Jesus. - CCC 487 -
Saint Cyril of Alexandria understanding of the significance of the title Theotokos ( Mother of God ) is given succinctly in his Third Letter to Nestorius which is included in the documents of the ecumenical Council of Ephesus. In the passage quoted below, Saint Cyril's explains that the title indicates Virgin Mary's status as the one who conceived and bore the Word of God incarnate, in consequence of which all human life has the possibility of being sanctified from the moment of conception.
Therefore, because the holy virgin bore in the flesh God who has united hypostatically with the flesh, for that reason we call her Mother of God ( Theotokos ) not as though the nature of the Word had the beginning of its existence from the flesh:
In the beginning was the Word:
the Word was with God
and the Word was God. - John 1:1 -
He made the ages and is co-eternal with the Father and craftsman of all things, but because, as we have said, He united to Himself hypostatically the human and underwent a birth according to the flesh from her womb. This was not as though He needed necessarily or for his own nature a birth in time and in the last times of this age, but in order that He might bless the beginning of our existence, in order that seeing that it was a woman that had given birth to Him, united to the flesh, the curse against the whole race should therefore cease, which was consigning all our earthly bodies to death, and in order that the removal through Him of the curse, - Gen. 3:16 - should demonstrate the truth of the words of the prophets, - 1 Cor. 15:54; Is. 25:8; Rev. 7:17, 21:4 - and again, it is for this cause that we say that in His economy He blessed marriage and, when invited, went down to Cana in Galilee with His holy apostles. - John 2:1-11 -
To the woman God said;
'I will multiply your pains in child bearing,
you shall give birth to your children in pain,
Your yearning shall be for your husband,
yet he will lord it over you.' - Gen. 3:16 -
He will destroy Death for ever,
The Lord Yahweh will wipe away
the tears from every cheek;
he will take away his people's shame
everywhere on earth,
for Yahweh has said so. - Is. 25:8 -
When this perishable nature has put on imperishability, and when this mortal nature has put on immortality, then, the words of scripture will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? - 1 Cor. 15:54 -
They will never hunger or thirst again; neither the sun nor scorching wind will ever plague them, because the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. - Rev. 7:17 -
He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; their will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone. - Rev. 21:4 -
Three days later there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' Jesus said, 'Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.' His mother said to the servants,'Do whatever he tells you.' There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablution that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water' and they filled them to the brim. 'Draw some out now' he told them 'and take it to the steward.' They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from - only the servants who had drawn the water knew - the steward called the bridegroom and said, 'People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.'
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and the brothers, but they stayed there only a few days. - John 2:1-12 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Monday, July 11, 2016
The practice of laying hands on someone or something occurs frequently in the Old Testament - particularly the laying of hands on the head of an animal intended for sacrifice. In the account of the ritual of the 'Day Of Atonement' the priest laid his hands on the Scapegoat. This probably symbolized the transferral of the sins and guilt to the people to the goat which was taken away into the wilderness.
The act of laying on of hands in the Old Testament was also associated with blessings, installation to office [ serves as a form of ordination ] and the setting apart of Levi. These passages indicated the transferral of authority and quality, symbolizes God's sovereign power. The hand of God, [ laying on of hands ] a prominent Jewish symbol and later, 'the laying on of hands' was promulgated and perpetuated by the Christians.
Joseph saw that his father was laying his right hand on the head of Ephraim, and this upset him. He took his father's hand and tried to shift it from the head of Ephraim to the head of Manasseh. Joseph protested to his father, 'Not like that, father! This one is the elder; put your right hand on his head.' - Gen. 48:17-18 - Deut. 34:9 - Num. 8:10-11 -
In the New Testament, the placing of hands upon a person by a body of believers [ The Church ] in ceremonial fashion to symbolize that person's authority or his appointment to a special task. The Lord Jesus Christ laid his hands on children and on the sick when He healed them. In the early Church the laying on of hands was also associated with healing, the reception of the Holy Spirit, the setting apart of persons to particular offices and work in the Church, the commissioning of apostle Barnabas and apostle Paul as missionaries, and the setting apart of apostle Timothy. The ritual was accompanied by prayer.
When Jesus was speaking to them, up came one of the officials who bowed low in front of him and said, 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved.' Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him. - Matt. 9:19-19 -
People brought little children to Jesus, for him to lay his hands on them and say a prayer. The disciples turned them away, but Jesus said, 'Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.' Then Jesus laid his hands on them and went on his way. - Matt. 19:13-15 - Mark 5:21-24 - Mark 1:31 -
One Sabbath day Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that left her enfeebled; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright. When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, 'Woman, you are rid of your infirmity' and Jesus laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God. - Luke 13:10-13 -
The whole assembly approved of this proposal and elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Phillip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these to the apostles who prayed and laid their hands on them. - Acts. 6:5-6 -
The Lord replied, 'You must go all the same because this man is my chosen instrument to bring my name before pagans and pagan kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show how much he himself must suffer for my name. Then Ananias went. He entered the house, and at once laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on your way here so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately it was as though scales fell away from Saul's eyes and he could see again. So he was baptized there and then, and after taking some food he regained his strength. - Acts 9:15-19 - Acts 19:6 -
Make use of the time until I arrive by reading to the people, preaching and teaching. You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not let it lie unused. - 1 Tim. 4:13-14 -
That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God's gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. - 2 Tim. 1:6-7 -
Let us leave behind us then all the elementary teaching about Christ and concentrate on its completion, without going over the fundamental doctrines again: the turning away from dead actions and towards faith in God; the teaching about baptisms and the laying on of hands; the teaching about the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. This, God willing, is what we propose to do. - Heb. 6:1-3 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
The act of laying on of hands in the Old Testament was also associated with blessings, installation to office [ serves as a form of ordination ] and the setting apart of Levi. These passages indicated the transferral of authority and quality, symbolizes God's sovereign power. The hand of God, [ laying on of hands ] a prominent Jewish symbol and later, 'the laying on of hands' was promulgated and perpetuated by the Christians.
Joseph saw that his father was laying his right hand on the head of Ephraim, and this upset him. He took his father's hand and tried to shift it from the head of Ephraim to the head of Manasseh. Joseph protested to his father, 'Not like that, father! This one is the elder; put your right hand on his head.' - Gen. 48:17-18 - Deut. 34:9 - Num. 8:10-11 -
In the New Testament, the placing of hands upon a person by a body of believers [ The Church ] in ceremonial fashion to symbolize that person's authority or his appointment to a special task. The Lord Jesus Christ laid his hands on children and on the sick when He healed them. In the early Church the laying on of hands was also associated with healing, the reception of the Holy Spirit, the setting apart of persons to particular offices and work in the Church, the commissioning of apostle Barnabas and apostle Paul as missionaries, and the setting apart of apostle Timothy. The ritual was accompanied by prayer.
When Jesus was speaking to them, up came one of the officials who bowed low in front of him and said, 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved.' Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him. - Matt. 9:19-19 -
People brought little children to Jesus, for him to lay his hands on them and say a prayer. The disciples turned them away, but Jesus said, 'Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.' Then Jesus laid his hands on them and went on his way. - Matt. 19:13-15 - Mark 5:21-24 - Mark 1:31 -
One Sabbath day Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that left her enfeebled; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright. When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, 'Woman, you are rid of your infirmity' and Jesus laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God. - Luke 13:10-13 -
The whole assembly approved of this proposal and elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Phillip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these to the apostles who prayed and laid their hands on them. - Acts. 6:5-6 -
The Lord replied, 'You must go all the same because this man is my chosen instrument to bring my name before pagans and pagan kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show how much he himself must suffer for my name. Then Ananias went. He entered the house, and at once laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on your way here so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately it was as though scales fell away from Saul's eyes and he could see again. So he was baptized there and then, and after taking some food he regained his strength. - Acts 9:15-19 - Acts 19:6 -
Make use of the time until I arrive by reading to the people, preaching and teaching. You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not let it lie unused. - 1 Tim. 4:13-14 -
That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God's gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. - 2 Tim. 1:6-7 -
Let us leave behind us then all the elementary teaching about Christ and concentrate on its completion, without going over the fundamental doctrines again: the turning away from dead actions and towards faith in God; the teaching about baptisms and the laying on of hands; the teaching about the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. This, God willing, is what we propose to do. - Heb. 6:1-3 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Friday, July 8, 2016
The two historical 'Books of Chronicles' of the Old Testament which may characterized as "Books of Hope." In broad selective strokes, these books trace the history of the nation of Israel [ Jacob ] from Adam to the 'Captivity and Restoration.' Almost all of this material is a repetition of that found in the books of '1 and 2 Samuel' and '1 and 2 Kings.'
The author/writer of 1 and 2 Chronicles apparently wrote his history to encourage the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem after more than 50 years of captivity in Babylon. In fact, this selective history reminded them of Israel's glorious days from the past and gave them 'Hope' for the future as they pondered God's promises to "His Covenant People."
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles were written originally as one unbroken book. In later translations of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, however, this ling narrative was divided into two shorter books. Each of these books falls naturally into two major divisions.
For instance, the nine chapters of 1 Chronicles contain long genealogies, or family histories, that are composed of information from the earliest historical books of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. These genealogies take every reader from the descendants of Adam up through the ancestors of king David.
Apparently, special attention is given to the families of ordained priests and Levites. - chapter 6; 9:1-34 - Israel's first king Saul's family, and particularly to the family of David. - chapter 2 to 3 - The second major section of the book ( chapters 10 to 29 ) focuses on the reign of king David. This long account begin with the death of Saul - chapter 10 - omitting the historical facts that preceded this event. Saul's death is reported to establish the fact that he was unqualified for office and that David was God's choice for this responsibility.
Saul died because he had shown himself unfaithful to Yahweh: he had not kept the word of Yahweh; he had even questioned and consulted a necromancer. He had not consulted Yahweh, who therefore put him to death and transferred the monarch to David son of Jesse. - 1 Chr. 10:13-14 -
The account of David's reign is presented in a positive light, with all the details about David's great sin omitted. First Chronicles also lists the names of all those associated with him as mighty men - chapters 11 to 12 - and records his great victories. - chapters 14, 18 to 20 - This section of the book also lists the names of the Levites, priests, and musicians in David's administration - chapters 23 to 26 - as well as other state officials. - chapter 27 - King David's work is included, in establishing Jerusalem as his capital city and as the center of worship. - 11:4-9, chapters 13,15,16,22,28,29 -
The Book Of 2 Chronicles also contains two major sections. Chapters 1 to 9 focus on the rule of king Solomon, whose greatest accomplishment was the building of the 'Temple' in Jerusalem and included is correspondence between Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre, about building materials - chapter 2 - as well as a full account of the dedication service when the Temple was completed. - chapters 5 to 7 -
The second major section chapters 10 to 36 is a highly selective account of the kings of Judah - from Rehoboam - chapters 10 to 12 - until the time of the 'Captivity' - chapter 36 - Kings given prominence in this narrative include Abijah - chapter 13 - Asa - chapters 14 to 16 - Jehoshaphat - chapters 17 to 20 - Joash - chapters 23 to 24 - Amaziah - chapter 25 - Uzziah or Azariah - chapter 26 - Hezekiah - chapters 29 to 32 - and Josiah - chapters 34 to 35 - The book ends with the proclamation of king Cyrus of Persia allowing the return of the Jews to rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem. - 36:22-23 -
On particularly interesting fact about the Book Of 2 Chronicles is that it comprises little information about the kings of the northern kingdom, Israel. And the facts which it gives about the kings of Judah are mostly positive. This indicates the author/writer was interested in tracing the line of David and showing that Judah was the nation which remained faithful to the 'Covenant' between God and His people. This fact would have been encouraging to the exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. They felt they were continuing the forms and traditions which set them apart as the true worshipers of God and gave them a sense of identity as "God's Covenant People."
The author/writer of the Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles is unknown, although Ezra, the priest and scribe seems the most likely possibility. As in 1 and 2 Chronicles, the Book Of Ezra and Nehemiah were written originally as one unbroken book in the Hebrew language. And the last two verses of 2 Chronicles are repeated in the first three verses of the Book Of Ezra, probably indicating they went together in the original version.
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles cover several centuries of the history of 'God's Covenant People' from the founders of the nation until the end of their captivity in Babylon and Persia about 538 B.C. But the books were written with a specific purpose in mind - to give 'comfort and hope' to those who returned to Jerusalem.
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles tie the entire sweep of the Old Testament together into one great affirmation of hope. These books should not only be read as histories, but for their insights into how God has kept faith with His Covenant People across the centuries. By selecting events that show how God has kept His promises, the author/writer presents a beautiful doctrine of hope that begins with Adam - 1 Chr. 1:1 - and stretches to the end of the Captivity of God's people thousands of years later - 2 Chr. 36:22-23 -
The clear implication for Christians today is that He is still a God of hope whose ultimate purpose will prevail in the world and in lives of His people.
How rich are the depths of God - how deep his wisdom and knowledge - and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen. - Rom. 11:33-36 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
The author/writer of 1 and 2 Chronicles apparently wrote his history to encourage the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem after more than 50 years of captivity in Babylon. In fact, this selective history reminded them of Israel's glorious days from the past and gave them 'Hope' for the future as they pondered God's promises to "His Covenant People."
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles were written originally as one unbroken book. In later translations of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, however, this ling narrative was divided into two shorter books. Each of these books falls naturally into two major divisions.
For instance, the nine chapters of 1 Chronicles contain long genealogies, or family histories, that are composed of information from the earliest historical books of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. These genealogies take every reader from the descendants of Adam up through the ancestors of king David.
Apparently, special attention is given to the families of ordained priests and Levites. - chapter 6; 9:1-34 - Israel's first king Saul's family, and particularly to the family of David. - chapter 2 to 3 - The second major section of the book ( chapters 10 to 29 ) focuses on the reign of king David. This long account begin with the death of Saul - chapter 10 - omitting the historical facts that preceded this event. Saul's death is reported to establish the fact that he was unqualified for office and that David was God's choice for this responsibility.
Saul died because he had shown himself unfaithful to Yahweh: he had not kept the word of Yahweh; he had even questioned and consulted a necromancer. He had not consulted Yahweh, who therefore put him to death and transferred the monarch to David son of Jesse. - 1 Chr. 10:13-14 -
The account of David's reign is presented in a positive light, with all the details about David's great sin omitted. First Chronicles also lists the names of all those associated with him as mighty men - chapters 11 to 12 - and records his great victories. - chapters 14, 18 to 20 - This section of the book also lists the names of the Levites, priests, and musicians in David's administration - chapters 23 to 26 - as well as other state officials. - chapter 27 - King David's work is included, in establishing Jerusalem as his capital city and as the center of worship. - 11:4-9, chapters 13,15,16,22,28,29 -
The Book Of 2 Chronicles also contains two major sections. Chapters 1 to 9 focus on the rule of king Solomon, whose greatest accomplishment was the building of the 'Temple' in Jerusalem and included is correspondence between Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre, about building materials - chapter 2 - as well as a full account of the dedication service when the Temple was completed. - chapters 5 to 7 -
The second major section chapters 10 to 36 is a highly selective account of the kings of Judah - from Rehoboam - chapters 10 to 12 - until the time of the 'Captivity' - chapter 36 - Kings given prominence in this narrative include Abijah - chapter 13 - Asa - chapters 14 to 16 - Jehoshaphat - chapters 17 to 20 - Joash - chapters 23 to 24 - Amaziah - chapter 25 - Uzziah or Azariah - chapter 26 - Hezekiah - chapters 29 to 32 - and Josiah - chapters 34 to 35 - The book ends with the proclamation of king Cyrus of Persia allowing the return of the Jews to rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem. - 36:22-23 -
On particularly interesting fact about the Book Of 2 Chronicles is that it comprises little information about the kings of the northern kingdom, Israel. And the facts which it gives about the kings of Judah are mostly positive. This indicates the author/writer was interested in tracing the line of David and showing that Judah was the nation which remained faithful to the 'Covenant' between God and His people. This fact would have been encouraging to the exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. They felt they were continuing the forms and traditions which set them apart as the true worshipers of God and gave them a sense of identity as "God's Covenant People."
The author/writer of the Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles is unknown, although Ezra, the priest and scribe seems the most likely possibility. As in 1 and 2 Chronicles, the Book Of Ezra and Nehemiah were written originally as one unbroken book in the Hebrew language. And the last two verses of 2 Chronicles are repeated in the first three verses of the Book Of Ezra, probably indicating they went together in the original version.
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles cover several centuries of the history of 'God's Covenant People' from the founders of the nation until the end of their captivity in Babylon and Persia about 538 B.C. But the books were written with a specific purpose in mind - to give 'comfort and hope' to those who returned to Jerusalem.
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles tie the entire sweep of the Old Testament together into one great affirmation of hope. These books should not only be read as histories, but for their insights into how God has kept faith with His Covenant People across the centuries. By selecting events that show how God has kept His promises, the author/writer presents a beautiful doctrine of hope that begins with Adam - 1 Chr. 1:1 - and stretches to the end of the Captivity of God's people thousands of years later - 2 Chr. 36:22-23 -
The clear implication for Christians today is that He is still a God of hope whose ultimate purpose will prevail in the world and in lives of His people.
How rich are the depths of God - how deep his wisdom and knowledge - and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen. - Rom. 11:33-36 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
In the Old Testament, The Song Of Songs or The Song Of Solomon is a brief book of only 8 chapters. The great message of The Song Of Songs is the beauty of love between a man and a woman as experienced in the relationship of marriage. In its beautiful language, the song praises the mutual love which husband and wife feel toward each other in this highest of all human relationships.
In spite of its brevity, it has a complicated structure that sometimes confuses the reader. For example, there are several different characters or personalities have speaking parts within this long lyrical poem. The 3 main parties with speaking parts in this long poem are: [1] the groom, king Solomon [2] the bride, a woman referred to as 'the Shulamite' ( maid of Shulam ) [3] the 'daughters of Jerusalem.'
These women of Jerusalem may have been royal servants who served as attendants to Solomon's Shulamite bride. In this love song, they serve as a chorus to echo the sentiments of the Shulamite, emphasizing her love and affection for Solomon. In addition, to these main personalities, the brothers of the Shulamite bride are also mentioned in the poem. -8:8-9 - These may have been her step-brothers. The poem indicates she worked under their command as 'the keeper of the vineyards.' - 1:6 -
This beautiful love song falls naturally into 2 major sections of about equal length - the beginning of love - chapter 1 to 4 - and the broadening of love. - chapter 5 to 8 -
In the first section, the Shulamite tells about Solomon's visit to her home in the country in the spring time. - 2:8-17 - She also recalls the many happy experiences of their courtship when she visited Solomon in his palace in Jerusalem. 2:4-7 - She thinks about the painful separations from his love during this time - 3:1-5 - as well as the joyous wedding procession to Jerusalem to become the king's bride. - 3:6-11 - King Solomon also praises his bride-to-be in a beautiful poem on the magic and wonder of love. - chapter 4 -
In the second section of the book, Shulamite and Solomon for each other continues to deepen after their marriage. She has a troubled dream when he seems distant and unconcerned. - 5:2-8 - But Solomon assures her of his love and praises her beauty. 6:4-7:9 - Longing to visit her country home - 7:10-8:4 - she finally makes the trip with Solomon; and their love grows even stronger. - 8:5-7 - The song closes with an assurance of each to the other that they will always remain close in their love.
Traditionally, authorship of the Song Of Songs has been assigned to Solomon, since the book itself makes this claim. "The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's." - 1:1 - Solomon is mentioned by name several times in the song - 1:1,5, 3:7,9,11, 8:11-12 - and he is specifically identified as the groom. The book also gives evidence of wealth, luxury, and exotic imported goods - 3:6-11 - a characteristic of his administration. The groom of the song also assures the Shulamite bride that she is "the only one" - 6:9 - probably a reference by Solomon to his royal harem. At the height of his power and influence, Solomon was known to have 700 wives and 300 concubines. - 1 Kin. 11:3 -
This strong internal evidence clearly supports the traditional view that Solomon himself wrote this song that bears his name. It must have been written early in his reign, probably about 965 B.C.
With his large harem, how could king Solomon write such a beautiful love song to one specific wife? Perhaps, his union with the Shulamite woman was the only authentic marriage relationship which Solomon ever knew. Most of his marriage were political arrangements, designed to seal treaties and trade agreements with other nations. In contrast, the Shulamite woman was not a cultured princess but a lowly vineyard keeper whose skin had been darkened by her long exposure to the sun. - 1:6 - Yet, she was the bride to whom Solomon declared: "What spells lie in your love, my sister, my promised bride! How delicious is your love, more delicious than wine! How fragrant your perfumes, more fragrant than all other spices!" - 4:10 -
This has a real message about the nature of true love. Authentic love is much more than a surface relationship; it extends to the very core of one's being. love like this cannot be bought and sold like some commodity on the open market. Solomon had many wives but the Shulamite may have been the only one with whom he enjoyed a warm, enriching relationship.
The exact meaning of the phrase 'the Shulamite' which has come to be used as a title for the bride in this song are not certain because no city or region known as Shulam has been identified in Palestine or any of the surrounding territories, and also because the poem makes several references to Lebanon. Thus, it is believe she came from this mountainous territory along the Mediterranean coast in northwestern Palestine. - 3:9; 4:8,11,15; 5:15; 7:4 -
The sexual and physical side of marriage is a natural and proper part of God's plan, reflecting His purpose and desire for the human race. This is the same truth so evident at the beginning of time in the Creation itself. God created man and woman and brought them together to serve as companions and to share their lives with one another. - Gen. 2:24 - Like the Book of Genesis, the Song of Songs say a bold yes to the beauty and sanctity of married love.
It also points beyond human love to the great Author of love. Genuine or authentic love is possible in the world because God brought love into being and planted that emotion in the hearts of His people. Even husbands and wives should remember that the love which they share for one another is not a product of their human goodness or kindness. We are able to love because the love of God is working in our lives.
This is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God's love for us when he sent his Son to be sacrifice that takes our sins away. My dear people, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. - 1 John 4:10 -11 -
What the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible passages emphasizes was the truth that God's ideal is for the marriage to be permanent. It is never meant to be provisional.
Marriage ( Sacrament of Holy Matrimony ) is 'Never' meant to be 'Provisional.' Marriage, from the beginning, is always meant to be 'Permanent.'
** Marriage refers to the union of a man and a woman as husband and wife, which becomes the foundation for a home and family.
Page 2
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
In spite of its brevity, it has a complicated structure that sometimes confuses the reader. For example, there are several different characters or personalities have speaking parts within this long lyrical poem. The 3 main parties with speaking parts in this long poem are: [1] the groom, king Solomon [2] the bride, a woman referred to as 'the Shulamite' ( maid of Shulam ) [3] the 'daughters of Jerusalem.'
These women of Jerusalem may have been royal servants who served as attendants to Solomon's Shulamite bride. In this love song, they serve as a chorus to echo the sentiments of the Shulamite, emphasizing her love and affection for Solomon. In addition, to these main personalities, the brothers of the Shulamite bride are also mentioned in the poem. -8:8-9 - These may have been her step-brothers. The poem indicates she worked under their command as 'the keeper of the vineyards.' - 1:6 -
This beautiful love song falls naturally into 2 major sections of about equal length - the beginning of love - chapter 1 to 4 - and the broadening of love. - chapter 5 to 8 -
In the first section, the Shulamite tells about Solomon's visit to her home in the country in the spring time. - 2:8-17 - She also recalls the many happy experiences of their courtship when she visited Solomon in his palace in Jerusalem. 2:4-7 - She thinks about the painful separations from his love during this time - 3:1-5 - as well as the joyous wedding procession to Jerusalem to become the king's bride. - 3:6-11 - King Solomon also praises his bride-to-be in a beautiful poem on the magic and wonder of love. - chapter 4 -
In the second section of the book, Shulamite and Solomon for each other continues to deepen after their marriage. She has a troubled dream when he seems distant and unconcerned. - 5:2-8 - But Solomon assures her of his love and praises her beauty. 6:4-7:9 - Longing to visit her country home - 7:10-8:4 - she finally makes the trip with Solomon; and their love grows even stronger. - 8:5-7 - The song closes with an assurance of each to the other that they will always remain close in their love.
Traditionally, authorship of the Song Of Songs has been assigned to Solomon, since the book itself makes this claim. "The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's." - 1:1 - Solomon is mentioned by name several times in the song - 1:1,5, 3:7,9,11, 8:11-12 - and he is specifically identified as the groom. The book also gives evidence of wealth, luxury, and exotic imported goods - 3:6-11 - a characteristic of his administration. The groom of the song also assures the Shulamite bride that she is "the only one" - 6:9 - probably a reference by Solomon to his royal harem. At the height of his power and influence, Solomon was known to have 700 wives and 300 concubines. - 1 Kin. 11:3 -
This strong internal evidence clearly supports the traditional view that Solomon himself wrote this song that bears his name. It must have been written early in his reign, probably about 965 B.C.
With his large harem, how could king Solomon write such a beautiful love song to one specific wife? Perhaps, his union with the Shulamite woman was the only authentic marriage relationship which Solomon ever knew. Most of his marriage were political arrangements, designed to seal treaties and trade agreements with other nations. In contrast, the Shulamite woman was not a cultured princess but a lowly vineyard keeper whose skin had been darkened by her long exposure to the sun. - 1:6 - Yet, she was the bride to whom Solomon declared: "What spells lie in your love, my sister, my promised bride! How delicious is your love, more delicious than wine! How fragrant your perfumes, more fragrant than all other spices!" - 4:10 -
This has a real message about the nature of true love. Authentic love is much more than a surface relationship; it extends to the very core of one's being. love like this cannot be bought and sold like some commodity on the open market. Solomon had many wives but the Shulamite may have been the only one with whom he enjoyed a warm, enriching relationship.
The exact meaning of the phrase 'the Shulamite' which has come to be used as a title for the bride in this song are not certain because no city or region known as Shulam has been identified in Palestine or any of the surrounding territories, and also because the poem makes several references to Lebanon. Thus, it is believe she came from this mountainous territory along the Mediterranean coast in northwestern Palestine. - 3:9; 4:8,11,15; 5:15; 7:4 -
The sexual and physical side of marriage is a natural and proper part of God's plan, reflecting His purpose and desire for the human race. This is the same truth so evident at the beginning of time in the Creation itself. God created man and woman and brought them together to serve as companions and to share their lives with one another. - Gen. 2:24 - Like the Book of Genesis, the Song of Songs say a bold yes to the beauty and sanctity of married love.
It also points beyond human love to the great Author of love. Genuine or authentic love is possible in the world because God brought love into being and planted that emotion in the hearts of His people. Even husbands and wives should remember that the love which they share for one another is not a product of their human goodness or kindness. We are able to love because the love of God is working in our lives.
This is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God's love for us when he sent his Son to be sacrifice that takes our sins away. My dear people, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. - 1 John 4:10 -11 -
What the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible passages emphasizes was the truth that God's ideal is for the marriage to be permanent. It is never meant to be provisional.
Marriage ( Sacrament of Holy Matrimony ) is 'Never' meant to be 'Provisional.' Marriage, from the beginning, is always meant to be 'Permanent.'
** Marriage refers to the union of a man and a woman as husband and wife, which becomes the foundation for a home and family.
Page 2
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
The Song of Songs or The Song Of Solomon is an Old Testament book written in the form of a lyric love song. It is believe this song speaks symbolically of the love of God for the nation of Israel and also as a healthy expression of romantic love between a man and a woman. The Song Of Songs or The Song Of Solomon is certainly one of the most unusual book in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. The Song Of Songs implies it was the loveliest and best known of all the songs of Solomon. -1:1 -
Marriage refers to the union of a man and a woman as husband and wife, which becomes the foundation for a home and family. In other words, It is the physical and spiritual union of a man and a woman, in which God created. - Gen. 2:21-24 - The origin of marriage was instituted by God when He declared: 'It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helpmate.' - Gen. 2:18 -
So Yahweh God made the man fall into deep sleep. And while he slept, he took one of his ribs and enclosed it in flesh. Yahweh God built the rib he had taken from the man into a woman, and brought her to the man. The man exclaimed:
'This at last is bone from my bones,
and flesh from my flesh!
This is to be called woman,
for this was taken from man.'
This is why a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife, and they become one body. - Gen. 2:21-24 -
What the passages emphasizes was the truth that God's ideal is for the marriage to be permanent.
In the Old Testament, God's desire for His people was that they marry within the body of believers. Marriages between Israelites were directed by law, and all incestuous relationships were outlawed. -Lev. 18:6-8, 20:19-21 - The prohibition of adultery is written in the Ten Commandments. - Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:16 -
Let them be for yourself alone,
not for strangers at the same time.
And may your fountain-head be blessed!
Find joy with the wife you married in your youth,
fair as a hind, graceful as a fawn,
Let hers be the company you keep,
hers the breasts that that ever fill you with delight,
hers the love that ever holds you captive.
Why be seduced, my son, by an alien woman,
and fondle the breast of a woman who is a stranger?
For the eyes of Yahweh observe a man's ways
and survey all his paths.
The wicked man is snared in his own misdeeds,
is caught in the meshes of his own sin,
For want of discipline, he dies,
and is lost through his own excessive folly. - Pro. 5:17-23 -
Anyone who commit adultery is sinning against God. Marriage, therefore, became the metaphor with which to explain the relationship between God and Israel. - Hosea 3 - The married couple (a man and a woman) was expected to build and develop a bond of mutual love and respect, which they, in turn would pass on to their children.
The New Testament does not contradict the doctrines and teachings about marriage in the Old Testament. Most marriage teaching in the New Testament comes from the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul's. Jesus' first miracle occurred in Cana in Galilee when He and His disciples were attending a wedding. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave His blessing and sanction to the institution of marriage. ( The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony ) On another occasion, when Jesus was asked about marriage and divorce, He quoted Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, two passages from the book of Genesis.
Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body or flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.' Not only did God acknowledge the marriage; He also joined the couple/them. ( a man and a woman ) - Gen. 1:27, 2:24, 5:2; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:31 -
You know, surely, that your bodies are members making up the body of Christ; do you think I can take parts of Christ's body and join them to the body of a prostitute? Never! As you know, a man who goes with a prostitute is one body with her, since the two, as it is said, become one flesh. But anyone who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
Keep away from fornication. All the other sins are committed outside the body; but to fornicate is to sin against your own body. Your body, you know, is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you since you received him from God. You are not your own property; you have been bought and paid for. That is why you should use your body for the glory of God. - 1 Cor. 6:15-20 -
Authentic love is much more than a surface relationship; it extends to the very core of one's being. Love like this cannot be bought and sold like some commodity on the open market.
In the Old Testament, The Song Of Songs or The Song Of Solomon is a brief book of only 8 chapters. The great message of The Song Of Songs is the beauty of love between a man and a woman as experienced in the relationship of marriage. In its beautiful......
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Marriage refers to the union of a man and a woman as husband and wife, which becomes the foundation for a home and family. In other words, It is the physical and spiritual union of a man and a woman, in which God created. - Gen. 2:21-24 - The origin of marriage was instituted by God when He declared: 'It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helpmate.' - Gen. 2:18 -
So Yahweh God made the man fall into deep sleep. And while he slept, he took one of his ribs and enclosed it in flesh. Yahweh God built the rib he had taken from the man into a woman, and brought her to the man. The man exclaimed:
'This at last is bone from my bones,
and flesh from my flesh!
This is to be called woman,
for this was taken from man.'
This is why a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife, and they become one body. - Gen. 2:21-24 -
What the passages emphasizes was the truth that God's ideal is for the marriage to be permanent.
In the Old Testament, God's desire for His people was that they marry within the body of believers. Marriages between Israelites were directed by law, and all incestuous relationships were outlawed. -Lev. 18:6-8, 20:19-21 - The prohibition of adultery is written in the Ten Commandments. - Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:16 -
Let them be for yourself alone,
not for strangers at the same time.
And may your fountain-head be blessed!
Find joy with the wife you married in your youth,
fair as a hind, graceful as a fawn,
Let hers be the company you keep,
hers the breasts that that ever fill you with delight,
hers the love that ever holds you captive.
Why be seduced, my son, by an alien woman,
and fondle the breast of a woman who is a stranger?
For the eyes of Yahweh observe a man's ways
and survey all his paths.
The wicked man is snared in his own misdeeds,
is caught in the meshes of his own sin,
For want of discipline, he dies,
and is lost through his own excessive folly. - Pro. 5:17-23 -
Anyone who commit adultery is sinning against God. Marriage, therefore, became the metaphor with which to explain the relationship between God and Israel. - Hosea 3 - The married couple (a man and a woman) was expected to build and develop a bond of mutual love and respect, which they, in turn would pass on to their children.
The New Testament does not contradict the doctrines and teachings about marriage in the Old Testament. Most marriage teaching in the New Testament comes from the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul's. Jesus' first miracle occurred in Cana in Galilee when He and His disciples were attending a wedding. Our Lord Jesus Christ gave His blessing and sanction to the institution of marriage. ( The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony ) On another occasion, when Jesus was asked about marriage and divorce, He quoted Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, two passages from the book of Genesis.
Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one body or flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.' Not only did God acknowledge the marriage; He also joined the couple/them. ( a man and a woman ) - Gen. 1:27, 2:24, 5:2; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:31 -
You know, surely, that your bodies are members making up the body of Christ; do you think I can take parts of Christ's body and join them to the body of a prostitute? Never! As you know, a man who goes with a prostitute is one body with her, since the two, as it is said, become one flesh. But anyone who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
Keep away from fornication. All the other sins are committed outside the body; but to fornicate is to sin against your own body. Your body, you know, is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you since you received him from God. You are not your own property; you have been bought and paid for. That is why you should use your body for the glory of God. - 1 Cor. 6:15-20 -
Authentic love is much more than a surface relationship; it extends to the very core of one's being. Love like this cannot be bought and sold like some commodity on the open market.
In the Old Testament, The Song Of Songs or The Song Of Solomon is a brief book of only 8 chapters. The great message of The Song Of Songs is the beauty of love between a man and a woman as experienced in the relationship of marriage. In its beautiful......
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Deaconess refers to a female faithful and believer serving in the office of "Deacon" in a church.
The office of deaconess became a regular feature of church organization as early as the first part of the 2nd century. Notably, in the A.D. 112, Pliny the Younger, governor of Bithynia, wrote a letter to the emperor Trajan of Rome, indicating that in his investigation of Christians he had tortured two Christian maidens who were called deaconesses.
The office of deaconess in the eastern Church continued down to the 12th century. The widows of clergyman who were not permitted to remarry, often served as deaconesses. Perhaps, Saint Paul's standards for deaconesses in 1 Timothy 5:3-16 - were applied to these deaconesses. No qualifications for the office of deaconesses are specifically given in the New Testament. But tradition indicates that she must not be a lover for money and power, but piety, faith and love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and experience were required of deaconesses.
Be considerate to widows; I mean those who are truly widows. If a widow has children or grandchildren, they are to learn first of all to do their duty to their own families and repay their debt to their parents, because this is what pleases God. But a woman who is really widowed and left without anybody can give herself up to God and consecrate all her days and nights to petitions and prayer. The one who thinks only of pleasure is already dead while she is still alive: remind them of all this, too, so that their lives may be blameless. Anyone who does not look after his own relations, especially if they are living with him, has rejected the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Enrolment as a widow is permissible only for a woman at least sixty years old who has had only one husband. She must be a woman known for her good works and for the way in which she has brought up her children, shown hospitality to strangers and washed the saints' feet, helped people who are in trouble and have been active in all kinds of good work.
Do not accept young widows because if their natural desires get stronger than their dedication to Christ, they want to marry again, and then people condemn them for being unfaithful to their original promise. Besides, they learn how to be idle and go round from house to house; and then, not merely idle, they learn to gossips and meddlers in other people's affairs, and to chatter when they would be better keeping quite. I think it is best for young widows to marry again and have children and a home to look after, and not give the enemy any chance to raise a scandal about them; there are already some who have left us to follow Satan.
If a Christian woman has widowed relatives, she should support then and not make the Church bear the expense but enable it to support those who are genuinely widows. - 1 Tim. 5:3-16 -
Any woman wanted to be called or carried the title of a deaconess, firstly, the woman must not be a lover for money and power. Instead, the women must be respectable, not gossips but sober and quite reliable. - 1 Tim. 3:11 -
The New Testament reference to deaconess as a church office is apostle Paul's description of Phoebe as a deaconess of the Church in Cenchreae. The Greek word translated as deaconess in this passage is, perhaps, rendered as deacon and servant. In fact, the office of deaconess was similar to the office of deacon. Their spiritual responsibility was essentially the same, except that deaconesses probably rendered a ministry exclusively to women, particularly in the early years of the Church.
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae. Give her in union with the Lord, a welcome worthy of saints, and help with anything she needs: she has looked after a great many people, my self included. - Rom. 16:1-2 -
While controversy has centered around the ordination of women through the centuries, deaconesses apparently were installed in their office by the 'Laying On Of Hands' just like deacons. However, there is no account of a deaconess ordination in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible.
In early centuries, deaconesses were especially called on to serve women in situations where custom forbade the ministry of the deacon. Deaconesses instructed female candidates for Church membership, ministered to women who were sick and in prison, and assisted at their baptism, especially in the act of anointing. Through the years deaconesses have been assigned various types of educational, charitable, and social service work in their churches and communities.
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
The office of deaconess became a regular feature of church organization as early as the first part of the 2nd century. Notably, in the A.D. 112, Pliny the Younger, governor of Bithynia, wrote a letter to the emperor Trajan of Rome, indicating that in his investigation of Christians he had tortured two Christian maidens who were called deaconesses.
The office of deaconess in the eastern Church continued down to the 12th century. The widows of clergyman who were not permitted to remarry, often served as deaconesses. Perhaps, Saint Paul's standards for deaconesses in 1 Timothy 5:3-16 - were applied to these deaconesses. No qualifications for the office of deaconesses are specifically given in the New Testament. But tradition indicates that she must not be a lover for money and power, but piety, faith and love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and experience were required of deaconesses.
Be considerate to widows; I mean those who are truly widows. If a widow has children or grandchildren, they are to learn first of all to do their duty to their own families and repay their debt to their parents, because this is what pleases God. But a woman who is really widowed and left without anybody can give herself up to God and consecrate all her days and nights to petitions and prayer. The one who thinks only of pleasure is already dead while she is still alive: remind them of all this, too, so that their lives may be blameless. Anyone who does not look after his own relations, especially if they are living with him, has rejected the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Enrolment as a widow is permissible only for a woman at least sixty years old who has had only one husband. She must be a woman known for her good works and for the way in which she has brought up her children, shown hospitality to strangers and washed the saints' feet, helped people who are in trouble and have been active in all kinds of good work.
Do not accept young widows because if their natural desires get stronger than their dedication to Christ, they want to marry again, and then people condemn them for being unfaithful to their original promise. Besides, they learn how to be idle and go round from house to house; and then, not merely idle, they learn to gossips and meddlers in other people's affairs, and to chatter when they would be better keeping quite. I think it is best for young widows to marry again and have children and a home to look after, and not give the enemy any chance to raise a scandal about them; there are already some who have left us to follow Satan.
If a Christian woman has widowed relatives, she should support then and not make the Church bear the expense but enable it to support those who are genuinely widows. - 1 Tim. 5:3-16 -
Any woman wanted to be called or carried the title of a deaconess, firstly, the woman must not be a lover for money and power. Instead, the women must be respectable, not gossips but sober and quite reliable. - 1 Tim. 3:11 -
The New Testament reference to deaconess as a church office is apostle Paul's description of Phoebe as a deaconess of the Church in Cenchreae. The Greek word translated as deaconess in this passage is, perhaps, rendered as deacon and servant. In fact, the office of deaconess was similar to the office of deacon. Their spiritual responsibility was essentially the same, except that deaconesses probably rendered a ministry exclusively to women, particularly in the early years of the Church.
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae. Give her in union with the Lord, a welcome worthy of saints, and help with anything she needs: she has looked after a great many people, my self included. - Rom. 16:1-2 -
While controversy has centered around the ordination of women through the centuries, deaconesses apparently were installed in their office by the 'Laying On Of Hands' just like deacons. However, there is no account of a deaconess ordination in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible.
In early centuries, deaconesses were especially called on to serve women in situations where custom forbade the ministry of the deacon. Deaconesses instructed female candidates for Church membership, ministered to women who were sick and in prison, and assisted at their baptism, especially in the act of anointing. Through the years deaconesses have been assigned various types of educational, charitable, and social service work in their churches and communities.
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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