God is the giver of every good and perfect gift, and above all His indescribable gift, Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, and including eternal life or immortality. Therefore, it is no alien of being empowered by the Holy Spirit to do the will of God. The spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit are: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear Of The Lord. In distinction from 'the fruit of the Holy Spirit' are: Love, Joy, Peace, Mercy, Forgiveness, Compassion, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

The spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit upon Christians are for the the purpose of building up the Church and on which will grow to benefit the community, and for the common good. Since these gifts are gifts of grace, their use must be controlled and use in accordance by the principle of "Love." That is, the greatest of all spiritual gifts. The Lord Jesus Christ distributes different gifts to different people just as God chooses.

In short, there are three things that last; Faith, Hope, Love. The greatest of these is "Love." - 1 Cor. 13:13 -

You must want love more than anything else; but still hope for the spiritual gifts as well, especially prophecy. Anybody with the gift of tongues speaks to God, but not to other people; because nobody understands him when he talks in the spirit about mysterious things.

On the other hand, the man who prophesies does talk to other people, to their improvement, their encouragement and their consolation. The one with the gift of tongues talks for his own benefit, but the man who prophesies does so for the benefit of the community. While I should like you all to have the gift of tongues, I would much rather you could prophecy, since the man who prophesies is of greater importance than the man with the gift of tongues, unless of course the latter offers an interpretation so that the church may get some benefit. - 1 Cor. 14:1-5 -

The gift of tongues is very different from the gift of speech. The gift of speech communicate and convey God's messages to people. Therefore, if your tongue does not produce intelligible speech, how can anyone know what you are saying? You will be talking to the air. Now suppose, my dear brothers and sisters, I am someone with the gift of tongues, and I come to visit you, what use shall I be if all my talking reveals nothing new, tells you nothing, and neither inspires you nor instructs you? What happened at the 'Pentecost' was the Holy Spirit came to rest on the head of each of the apostles with the gift of speech. "It is not the gift of tongues." "It is the gift of speech."

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech. - Acts 2:4 -

We must know and understand that the ability to comprehend the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible correctly is given by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, we will be taken in by people who like grovelling to angels and worshiping them; people like that are always going on about some vision they have had, inflating themselves to a false importance with the worldly outlook. People of this sort is not united to the Almighty God, the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and it is the "Lord" that adds strength and holds the whole body together, with all its joints and sinews, and this is the only way in which it can reach its full growth in God. Amen!

In the light of the grace I have received I want to urge each one among you not to exaggerate his real importance. Each of you must judge himself soberly by the standard of the faith God has given him. Just as each of our bodies has several parts and each part has a separate function, so all of us, in union with Christ, form one body, and as parts of it we belong to each other.

Our gifts differ according to the grace given us. If your gift is prophecy, then use it as your faith suggests; if administration, then use it for administration; if teaching, then use it for teaching. Let the preachers deliver sermons, the alms-givers give freely, the officials be diligent, and those who do works of mercy do them cheerfully.

Do not let your love be a pretend, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care. - Rom. 12:3-13 -

There is a variety of gifts but always the same Spirit; there are all sorts of service to be done, but always to the same Lord; working in all sorts of different ways in different people, it is the same God who is working in all of them. The particular way in which the Spirit is given to each person is for a good purpose. - 1 Cor. 12:4-7 -

If one part is hurt, all parts are hurt with it. If one part is given special honour, all parts enjoy it. Now you together are Christ's body; but each of you is a different part of it. - 1 Cor. 12:26-27 -

In the Church, God has given the first place to apostles, the second to prophets, the third to teachers; after them, miracles, and after them the gift of healing; helpers, good leaders, those with many languages. - 1 Cor. 12:28 -

With all these in mind, I am grateful to God for all His blessing and the Lord Jesus Christ blessings to come. Amen! In fact, I have did an in-depth study of myself for many years. Then, reflected and contemplated on my own life, the past, the current and what the future will be? Daily pondering as well. Lastly, I have had some serious contemplation of my own life, the past, the current, and the future. Consequently, I came to my senses and not only realizing what the Lord Jesus Christ has done great things for me, the Lord, actually has been my "Savior" all this while. Seriously, if I have not know God and live without the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, I am already a dead man. Perhaps, long time ago. Indeed, "I am nothing and God makes me into all things that is good."

Of course, God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ calls, and touches everyone or every human beings, whether it is in a small way, big way, and profound way. Thus, whether the one who was touched by God or encountered or experienced God, is willing to response His called is questionable? Because God, the Creator give every human beings, the freedom to choose. As a result, I have save myself from this perverse generation and remain faithful to the teaching of the apostles. [ Didache] That is, Tradition, Sacred Scripture, Magisterium. Thanks be to God.

But as we have the same spirit of faith that is mentioned in scripture - I believed, and therefore I spoke - we too believe and therefore we too speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life will raise us with Jesus in our turn, and put us by his side and you with us. You see, all this is for your benefit, so that the more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God. - 2 Cor. 4:13-15 -
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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 -

Indeed, when an account of a person's life written by that person [autobiography] or when the record of any human life is set down, there are always three pair of eyes who see it in a different light. There is the life: (1) As I See It. (2) As Others See It. (3) As God Sees It.

For the first 27 years of my life, I was an atheist or a pagan. I was born in 1962, and my official name is: Chan Kok Wah but now my official name is: Alex Chan Kok Wah. I have no idea, knowledge and information about my infancy period until I was 6 years old. By then, through years of hard labours, I came to know, understand and greatly empathized what is abject poverty, humiliation, being abused, violent situation, notorious environment, hunger, that is, sometimes living without food for a day because in order to have food to eat I have to worked, waking up early in the morning, that is, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekend and on weekday, after schooling. I was only 6 years old then, and its continued until I was 15 years old.

Incidentally, I was not living with my family but with my relative. I think this is one of my saddest reminiscence. This is just a small part of the summary because as Sacred Scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord. This is exactly what I must do. Thus, a brief account of where I came from, indicating that God is presence in my life, and indeed, it is considered a blessing from God because I am still alive today. As a result, I believed God preserves all things through His providence.

As it is, I grew up without knowing much about so many things, for examples, speaking properly and with mannerism, writing a message or a letter, even speaking in English language is a major obstacle, etc, etc. When I began to know how to think a little, question like, Does God know what it is to suffer? Does God know anything about being born and not knowing who is my father and mother? and many, many others, but now I called it stupid questions because of God, the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, mercy and loving-kindness upon me. For "I am nothing and God make me into all things that is good." Amen!

When I was 16 years old till 25 years old, I have had great encountered and experienced enormous outpouring of joy. For instances, and out of a sudden, I started and began to know how to utilized and comprehend a lot of matters that was alien and unknown to me before. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! Indeed, "For I am nothing and God makes me into all things that is good."

Human beings reads the face and exterior riches but God reads the heart. Thus, my heart leaped with joy at being invited to His Last Supper. (The Holy Eucharist, or The Holy Mass, or The Holy Communion) even before I was officially baptized. Truly, 'Conversion of heart to God is a form of martyrdom because it involves the surrender of oneself.' - John 21:18-19 - My 'Conversion to Catholic Christian' started when I was unexpectedly facing adversity in my personal life, that is, all my assets pertaining to what I worked for; vanished, when I was abroad. In other words, stolen but it is legally stolen. Many may wonder? Never mind! because this is 'Not' what I want to record and boast.

What I want to boast, is about the Lord Jesus Christ. To be honest, even until today, I am still reluctant to share and boast or announce how and what God had done and provided me with all that is good. Amen! "The greater glory of God" the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, and the Holy Spirit is so immensely interfering on my personal life, that is, from when I was born until today. Even though I do not know or hear about God, then. I was granted an experienced of the Lord Jesus Christ healing by a female pastor [Assembly of God] by praying over me. I was indeed, very, very sick at that time and I was only 9 to 12 years old, as I can remembered. Thus, there is no more excuses and no way out for me, except to do the necessary.

Lord Jesus Christ, You know, it is suppose to be an easy task, a joyous and delighted occasion to boast about You, especially, allowing me to encountered and experienced You but it is not so. You know it all, it is because: Firstly, I am a sinner. Secondly, I am stupid, naive, poor, illiterate and uneducated. Thirdly, my thought is always "Not Me" Lord, "You had called the wrong person." But then, You always slowly and patiently guide and teach me until I may comprehend God's will. Oops! that was 27 or 28 years ago, and it is still happening. Marvelous!!

But then, when I seriously come to think of it. My Lord Jesus Christ was a carpenter, that is, when Jesus is fully human and before Jesus is fully mature in wisdom. By implication Jesus is poor, perhaps naive too, and illiterate and uneducated.

Jesus taught the people in their synagogue in such a way that they were astonished and said, 'Where did the man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? This is the carpenter's son, surely? - Matthew 13:54 -

When the festival was half over, Jesus went to the Temple and began to teach. The Jews were astonished and said, 'How did Jesus learn to read? He has not been taught.'  - John 7:14-15 -

Jesus answered them: 'My teaching is not from myself: it comes from the one who sent me; and if anyone is prepared to do His will, he will know whether my teaching is from God or whether my doctrine is my own. When a man's doctrine is his own he is hoping to get honour for himself; but when he is working for the honour of one who sent him, then he is sincere and by no means an impostor. - John 7:16-18 -

They were astonished at the assurance shown by Peter and John, considering they were uneducated laymen; and they recognised them as associates of Jesus; but when they saw the man who had been cured standing by their side, they could find no answer. - Acts 4:13-14 -

Then again, most of the Lord Jesus Christ apostles, disciples and faithful, are also of the same kind. It is not by the meaning of justifying that it should be as such. No! For instance, Saint Paul is a very literate and educated man, same goes to Saint Luke and many others too. Therefore, this faith of phenomenon gave me great relief.

It was indeed to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen - those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. - 1 Cor. 1:27-28 -

At least, now I put in some initiative to do the necessary instead of just doing it on the spiritual education level. I think, if God's willing, I have to reveal how and what the Lord Jesus Christ has had done for me, for the past 54 years and it is still counting. Late is better than never. Yea! The first encountered and experienced I have had with the Lord Jesus Christ was when God sent Edward and Linda, [Singaporean] good and knowledgeable Catholic Christian to be God witnesses, and they presented me a book of Holy Bible/Sacred Scripture. And what happened next was You make me read the whole of Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, numerous times.

Then, within a year, You directed me to Your church where You are the "Head" that is, Church Of Saint Francis Xavier, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. There, I was advised to attend RCIA class. What amazed me was at that time, Church Of Saint Francis Xavier, the parish priest was Rev. Fr. Jojo M. Fung S.J. and assisted by Rev. Fr. Paul Tan Chee Ing S.J. The amazement was, they were so friendly, humble, and yet intelligent. The love of God which I encountered with both of them gave me the inspiration to further pursue the RCIA class with great excitement. In fact, I was always looking forward to see them. Wow! I scored 100% attendance. Even till today, Rev. Fr. Jojo M. Fung S.J. and Bishop Emeritus, His Grace Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing S.J. are still great person in the eyes of God, 'the saintly priests.' Amen!

My next God encountered and experienced was the "Holy Eucharist, or Holy Mass, or Holy Communion" and its removed all my negative thoughts and personal problems. The feeling of love, joy, and peace is so great that I never failed to read the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible everyday. I think it is due to my initial encountered and experienced of God. - Luke 24:13-35 - The Lord Jesus Christ appearances are clearly at the heart of the early Christian belief. The consistent witness of the New Testament, [Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible] is that, in the appearances of Jesus Christ, something incredible happened to Cleopas and a friend. (Jesus followers and believers) This phenomenon is precisely how and what I have had experienced and encountered the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, truly, and later, I was Baptized and Confirmed in this scenario and manner. That is, recognised the Lord Jesus Christ at the breaking of bread. - Luke 24:13-35 - AMEN! I was 'Baptised and Confirmed' on the 14th April 1990. Before I was 'Baptised and Confirmed.' I was an atheist or a free thinker or an idolatry.

Then Jesus said to them, 'You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter onto his glory?' Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.

When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. 'It is nearly evening' they said 'and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?' - Luke 24:25-32 -

If God's willing, the remaining years of my life on earth will be all on boasting of the Lord Jesus Christ. Unbelievably, I think even with the next 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, it is still insufficient to do all the boasting of God because the Lord Jesus Christ has never stop but keep pouring His gifts upon me. There are many gifts which I do not bother and may have forgotten about it. "Have mercy on me, Lord Jesus Christ" for it is all inadvertent. Truly, truly, when God said:

Seek Yahweh while he is still to be found,
call to him while he is still near.
Let the wicked man abandon his way,
the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn back to Yahweh who will take pity on him,
to our God who is rich in forgiving;
for my thoughts are not your thoughts,
my ways not your ways - it is Yahweh who speaks.
Yes, the heavens are as high above earth
as my ways are above your ways,
my thoughts above your thoughts.

Yes, as the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do. - Is. 55:6-11 -

Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, because "I am nothing and You make me into all things that is good." In other words, if there are great deeds which I have had performed whether it is visible or invisible, tangible or intangible, I knows that it is because of the Holy Spirit that moves me, thus it is never belong to me and it did not come from me either because I am just a mere instrument. "The Lord's instrument."

"All praises and thanksgiving to you, Lord Jesus Christ."

"For the Lord Jesus Christ did not send me to baptise, but to preach the Good News, and not to preach that in the terms of philosophy in which the crucifixion of Christ cannot be expressed. The language of the cross may be illogical to those who are not on the way to salvation, but those of us who are on the way to see it as God's power to save. As scripture says: I shall destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing all the learning of the learned. Where are the philosophers now? Where are the scribes? Where are any of our thinkers today? Do you see now how God has shown up the foolishness of human wisdom? If it was God's wisdom that human wisdom should not know God, it was because God wanted to save those who have faith through the foolishness of the message that we preach. And so, while the Jews demand miracles and the Greeks look for wisdom, here are we preaching a crucified Christ; to the Jews an obstacle that they cannot get over, to the pagans madness, but to those who have been called, whether they are Jews or Greeks, a Christ who is the power and the wisdom of God. For God foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

Take for yourselves for instance, brothers, at the time when you were called: how many of you were wise in the ordinary sense of the word, how many were influential people, or came from noble families? No, it was to shame the wise that God chose what is foolish by human reckoning, and to shame what is strong that he chose what is weak by human reckoning; those whom the world thinks common and contemptible are the ones that God has chosen - those who are nothing at all to show up those who are everything. The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God's doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord." - 1 Cor. 1:17-31 - 

With all these in mind, I am grateful to God for all His blessing and the Lord Jesus Christ blessings to come. Amen! In fact, I have did an in-depth study of myself for many years. Then, reflected and contemplated on my own life, the past, the current and what the future will be? Daily pondering as well. Lastly, I have had some serious contemplation of my own life, the past, the current, and the future. Consequently, I came to my senses and not only realizing what the Lord Jesus Christ has done great things for me, the Lord, actually has been my "Savior" all this while. Seriously, if I have not know God and live without the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, I am already a dead man. Perhaps, long time ago. Indeed, "I am nothing and God makes me into all things that is good."

Of course, God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ calls, and touches everyone or every human beings, whether it is in a small way, big way, and profound way. Thus, whether the one who was touched by God or encountered or experienced God, is willing to response His called is questionable? Because God, the Creator give every human beings, the freedom to choose. As a result, I have save myself from this perverse generation and remain faithful to the teaching of the apostles. [Didache]  That is, Tradition, Sacred Scripture, Magisterium. Thanks be to God.

But as we have the same spirit of faith that is mentioned in scripture - I believed, and therefore I spoke - we too believe and therefore we too speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus to life will raise us with Jesus in our turn, and put us by his side and you with us. You see, all this is for your benefit, so that the more grace is multiplied among people, the more thanksgiving there will be, to the glory of God. - 2 Cor. 4:13-15 -

Today, and in time to come, it is a great joy to me, in the Lord Jesus Christ because there is nothing I cannot master with the help of God, the Lord Jesus Christ who gives me strength, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, courage, and most importantly, love. Indeed, I have learnt to manage on whatever I have, I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich too. I have been through my initiation and now I am ready for anything, anywhere: full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. AMEN!

"All praises and thanksgiving to you, Lord Jesus Christ."

                                                             Page 1

Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!

If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function, so the body grows until it has built itself up, in love. - Ephesians 4:15-16 - 

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 -                              

 Thank You for donating, your generous contribution is profoundly cherish. God bless.                 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!

In the ancient world, and even today, God favoured His people by revealing Himself by many names which offered insight into His love. One of the names for God in the Old Testament is "Yahweh". The four letter Hebrew word "YHWH" was the name by which God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush.

Then Moses said to God, 'I am to go, then, to the sons of Israel and say to them, "the God of your fathers has sent me to you." But if they ask me what his name is, what am I to tell them?' And God said to Moses, 'I Am who I Am. This' he added 'is what you must say to the sons of Israel: "I Am has sent me to you." And God also said to Moses, 'You are to say to the sons of Israel: "Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (Israel), has sent me to you." This is my name for all time: by this name I shall be invoked for all generations to come. - Ex. 3:13-15 -

The divine name "Yahweh" is usually translated "Lord" in English versions of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible because it became a practice in late Old Testament Judaism not to pronounce the sacred name "YHWH" but to say instead "my Lord" (Adonai) a practice still used today. From the New Testament times, many Christians use the word "Yahweh" that is, "Lord."

Yahweh's oracle to you, my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand
and I will make your enemies a footstool for you. - Ps. 110:1 -

'Then how is it' he said 'that David, moved by the Spirit, calls him Lord, where he says:
                                   
                                    The Lord said to my Lord:
                                    Sit at my right hand
                                    and I will put your enemies
                                    under your feet? 

'If David can call him Lord, then how can he be his son?' - Matt. 22:43-45 - Mark 12:35-37 -

For David himself never went up to heaven; and yet these words are his:

                                    The Lord said to my Lord:
                                    Sit at my right hand
                                    until I make your enemies
                                    a footstool for you.

'For this reason the whole of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.' - Acts 2:34-36 -

Christ Jesus has his place at the right of the throne of divine Majesty in the heavens, and he is the minister of the sanctuary and of the true Tent of Meeting which the Lord, and not any man, set up. Heb. 8:2 -

Here the word "Lord" is used both for God and the messianic King, that is, Christ Jesus. Indeed, God has made Jesus, the only begotten Son, both Lord and Christ. Hence, the two "Lords" God and Jesus Christ are distinguished from each other but not separated. In fact, in the New Testament times, the Lordship of Christ Jesus theologically has been used and put into practices.

The Christians conviction, from the outset, that Jesus was the Messiah. He was also "Lord", a term that carried greater meaning than it might have for most people today. It indicated that Jesus Christ was exalted, for the word "Lord" was generally reserved for God or for those associated with divinity - God himself. To call Jesus Christ "Lord" as writers of the New Testament did repeatedly indicated that He was closely associated with God and came as His envoy.

"Jesus is Lord" is the ultimate Christian creed. A Christian therefore, is a person who confesses Jesus as Lord. After Jesus resurrection and exaltation, Jesus was given the title "Lord" in its full,

Saint Peter, concluding his address to the crowd in Jerusalem on the "Day of Pentecost" declared:

Men of Israel, listen to what I am going to say: Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God by the miracles and portents and signs that God worked through him when he was among you, as you all know........... You killed him, but God raised him to life, freeing him from the pangs of Hades; for it was impossible for him to be held in its power since as David says of him:

I saw the Lord before me always,
for with him at my right hand nothing can shake me. - Acts 2:22-25 -

'For this reason the whole House of Israel can be certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.' - Acts 2:36 -

Saint Paul, in fact, explicitly affirming "Jesus is Lord" in all his epistles, that is, addressing and calling Christ Jesus: "The Lord Jesus Christ." because apostle Paul, and all the apostles knew that when human beings honor Jesus as "Lord," God, the Father is glorified.

It is for that reason that I want you to understand that on the one hand no one can be speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit and say, 'Curse Jesus,' and on the other hand, no one can say, "Jesus is Lord" unless he is under the influence of the Holy Spirit. - 1 Cor. 12:3 -

In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as men are; and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.

                                         But God raised him high
                                         and gave him the name
                                         which is above all other names
                                         so that all beings
                                         in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld,
                                         should bend the knee at the name of Jesus
                                         and that every tongue should acclaim
                                         Jesus Christ as Lord,
                                         to the glory of God the Father. - Phil. 2:5-11 -

If your lips confess that Jesus is Lord and if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the death, then you will be saved. By believing from the heart, you are made righteous; by confessing with your lips you are saved. When scripture says: those who believe in him will have no cause for shame, it makes no distinction between Jew and Greek: all belong to the same Lord who is rich enough, however many ask for his help, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. - Rom. 10:9-13 -

With references to 'The Gospel According To Saint John' especially in chapter 11, chapter 13 and chapter 20. In chapter 11, Jesus did not stopped and ignored Mary and Martha by calling and addressing Him, "Lord." Consequently, apostle Peter in chapter 13, also called and addressed Jesus: "Lord" but this time the Lord Jesus Christ affirming and acknowledging that, indeed, He is "Lord" even before His resurrection. Thus, Jesus Christ is true man and true God. But in chapter 20, apostle Thomas called Jesus, and affirming Jesus: "My Lord and my God!"

There was a man named Lazarus who lived in the village of Bethany with the two sisters, Mary and Martha, and he is ill. It was the same Mary, the sister of the sick man Lazarus, who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair. The sisters sent this message to Jesus, 'Lord, the man you love is ill.' - John 11:1-3 -

'Your brother' said Jesus to her 'will rise again.' Martha said, 'I know he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said:

'I am the resurrection.
If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live,
and whoever lives and believes in me
will never die.
Do you believe this?'

'Yes, Lord,' she said 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world.' - John 11:24-27 -

Mary went to Jesus, and as soon as she saw him she threw herself at his feet, saying, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' 'Where have you put him?' They said, 'Lord, come and see.' - John 11:32, 34 -

Jesus came to Simon Peter, who said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus replied, 'If I do not wash you, you can have nothing in common with me.' 'Then, Lord,' said Simon Peter 'not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!' - John 13:6, 8-9 -

You call me Master and Lord, and rightly; so I am. If I, then, the Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you should wash each other's feet. - John 13:13-14 -

'Peace be with you' Jesus said. Then he spoke to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.' Thomas replied, 'My Lord and my God!' - John 20:27-28 -

Finally, the Lord Jesus Christ, perhaps, plainly tell, and teaches us, the believers, followers, faithful, how to inherit eternal life. That is, by pleasing God. Of course, in words and good deeds, too. Sadly to share the appended below which it is the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ, which many either ignored, skipped, pretend, and think otherwise, mainly because of pride and narcissism, and it is always the case to many. That is, arguing and justifying on it as well.

Perhaps, it is better to read the "Word of God" intently and, at the same time, seek help from God, that is, to help us to remove our stubbornness, and to enable us to comprehend 'His Word' and open up our heart, soul, and mind to Him. So that, the grace and peace of God our Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ be upon us, Who is able to rescue and save us from this present wicked world. It is because the Lord Jesus Christ always taught with authority. Indeed!

The Lord Jesus Christ said: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me - Matt. 28:18 -

'Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?

'Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them - I will show you what he is like. He is like the man who when he built his house dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man who built his house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!' - Luke 6:46-49 -

'It is not those who say to me, "Lord, Lord", who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven. When the day comes many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?"' Then, I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you: away from me, you evil men!'

'Therefore, everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on rock. Rain came down, floods rose, gales blew and hurled themselves against that house, and it did not fall: it was founded on rock. But everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house, and it fell; and what a fall it had!' - Matt. 7:21-27 - Is. 29:13-14 - James 2:14-26 - 1 John 3:18-20 - Luke 13:22-30 -

The other bridesmaids arrived later. "Lord, Lord," they said "open the door for us." But Jesus replied, "I tell you solemnly, I do not know you." So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour. - Matt. 25:11-13 -

The human race has nothing to boast about to God, but you God has made members of Christ Jesus and by God's doing he has become our wisdom, and our virtue, and our holiness, and our freedom. As scripture says: if anyone wants to boast, let him boast about the Lord. - 1 Cor. 1:29-31 -

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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 -

Kingdom, king refers to ruler of a nation or territory, especially one who inherits his position and rules for life; a state or nation with a form of government in which a king or queen serves as supreme ruler.

In the ancient world a king was generally the ruler over a specific region or city. His office was usually hereditary and his authority derived from it. For instance, in Egypt the king, or Pharaoh, was regarded as a god; in Assyria the king represented a god. Both the Canaanites and the Philistines had kings as early as the time of Abraham. - Gen. 14:1-2, 20:2 - Many of the other nations related to Israel - Edom, Moab, Midian, and Ammon - adopted the kingship form a government earlier than Israel. - Gen. 36:31; Judg. 11:13 -

Long before the Israelites chose Saul as their first king, Israel has been a religious community with God Himself as the ruler. God had promised Abraham that kings would come from him. The same promise was given to Jacob.

You shall no longer be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I make you father of a multitude of nations. I will make you most fruitful. I will make you into nations, and your issue shall be kings. - Gen. 17:5-6 -

Once more God appeared to Jacob on his return from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. God said to him, 'Your name is Jacob, but from now on you shall be named not Jacob but Israel.' Accordingly, they named him Israel. God said to him, 'I am El Shaddai. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation, indeed a group of nations shall descend from you. Even kings shall be numbered among your descendants. I give you this land, the land I gave to Abraham and to Issac; and I will give this land to your descendants after you.' Then God went up from him. - Gen. 35:9-13 -

During the Exodus of the Hebrew people from Egypt and the conquest of Canaan several years later, Moses and Joshua exercised "royal" authority, but only as representatives of God. Following Joshua's death, various cities and villages had "Elders" - Josh. 24:13; Judg. 11:5 - to whom the people looked for leadership. Occasionally, God appointed certain leaders called "Judges" who would lead an army against foreign oppression. - Judg. 2:16-19 - These leaders, however, were not strong religious personalities. They had no official authority, and their rule was local and temporary.

At the insistence of the people of Israel, prophet Samuel anointed Saul as the first king of the Hebrew nation. - 1 Sam. 10:1 - Samuel, the prophet, regarded the demand for a king as an act of rebellion - 1 Sam. 8 - because the moral decline of the nation had created a desire for a monarchy that would be similar to the form of government of all the surrounding nations. It is a believed that the introduction of kingship in Israel was a historical necessity, brought about by a desperate political situation, that is, oppression by the Philistines.

After establishment of the kingship under Saul and David, Solomon became king of the United Kingdom. Under his administration, the Hebrew people reached new levels of prestige and power. Solomon entered trade agreements with other nations and completed many impressive building projects. But to pay for all these great accomplishments, Solomon placed burdensome taxes upon the people and even forced them to work as laborers on this building projects. At Solomon's death, the United Kingdom split into two separate nations, that is, Judah in the south and Israel in the north. During the rest of their history, these two nations were ruled by their own individual kings. Accounts of the reigns of many of these kings are found in the books of 1 and 2 Kings in the Old Testament.

David was clearly God's choice to be king. - 1 Sam. 16:17, 12-13 - The hereditary kingship, therefore, began with him; from him would descend Jesus Christ, 'the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David' - Rev. 5:5 - In the light of the Messiah's descent from David, the meaning of God's Covenant with David becomes clear and fulfilled: "I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever." - 2 Sam. 7:13; Ps. 2; 110; Is. 11:1-4 -

A kingdom that would typify Christ Jesus coming kingdom was in God's plan. - Deut. 17:15 - Israel's king was supposed to be responsible to God alone. This king was God's servant and only the earthly representative of the Lord, who was Israel's true king. In that office he was expected to know and do the law of God. - Deut. 17:18-20 - Jesus was to be a preacher, teacher, and proclaiming the kingdom of God, and one who judged wisely and righteously. - 1 Kin. 3:28; 2 Chr. 17:7 -

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible used the title king not only of human rulers, but God as the Supreme Ruler of the world. As the Creator of the world, it is His right to rule the universe. That is, only by His authority do earthly kings reign. - Ps. 47:2, 7; Matt. 5:35; Deut. 10:17; Dan. 4:17 -

The New Testament speaks of several specific kings, including Herod the king and king Agrippa. - Matt. 2:1; Acts 25:24 - they were actually governors or rulers over political provinces or territories of the Roman Empire, serving under appointment by the Roman Emperor.

Christ Jesus the Messiah was born a king - Matt.2:2 - came preaching and proclaiming the kingdom of God - Mark 1:15 - died as a king - Mark 15:32 - and will yet be seen as King of kings and Lord of lords. - 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 19:16 - Jesus functions as a Priest-Prophet-King - Heb. 5:6; 7:1; Rev. 11:15 - enabling us to become heirs of the kingdom which He has established through His sacrificial death on the cross.

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and voices could be heard shouting in heaven, calling, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.' - Rev. 11:15 -

On his cloak and on his thigh there was a name written: The King of kings and the Lord of lords. - Rev. 19:16 -

Christ Jesus was the full embodiment of the kingdom of God. The entire ministry of Jesus is understood in relation to this important declaration of the presence of the kingdom of God. The Lord Jesus Christ ethical doctrines, for example, cannot be understood apart from the announcement of the kingdom of God. They are ethics of the kingdom of God; the perfection to which they point makes no sense apart from the present experience of the kingdom. Participation in the new reality of the kingdom of God involves a faithful, believers, and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ in a call to the highest virtue and good deeds; love, joy, peace, mercy, compassion, kindness, patience, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control are some of the examples.

For I tell you, if your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. - Matt. 5:20 -

All that Jesus did is related to this claim that the kingdom of God has dawned through His ministry. The Lord Jesus Christ righteousness, healing, miracle, love, forgiveness, compassion, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control were manifestations of the presence of the kingdom of God. In these virtue and deeds there was a direct confrontation between God and Satan and his demons, and the forces of evil. Summarizing His ministry, the Lord Jesus Christ declared:

'I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven.' - Luke 10:18 -

Satan and evil are retreat now that the kingdom of God has made its entrance into human history. This is an anticipation of the final age of perfection that will be realized at the Lord Jesus Christ return; Second Coming, or Parousia.

The Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible have described the phrase kingdom of God as a more comprehensive term referring to both heaven and earth. It is believed that the kingdom of God is a more restricted term referring to God's rule on earth, especially in relation to the nation of Israel. In this believed, Christ Jesus offered the literal kingdom of heaven to Israel, but particularly, the Jews, refused to accept it. Thus, it has been postponed until the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A careful study of the gospels, however, shows that the two phrases [kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven] are used interchangeably. In parallel passages, Saint Matthew uses "kingdom of heaven" while Saint Mark and Saint Luke has "kingdom of God." Even in Saint Matthew the two phases are sometimes used interchangeably, where they are used one after the other in the same connection.

And if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges, then. But if it is through the Spirit of God that I cast devils out, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you. - Matt. 12:26-28 -

In the New Testament, the Book of The Acts Of The Apostles, and all of Saint Paul epistles and all the other books, the kingdom of God was a central doctrine in the preaching and proclaiming of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the early Christians. The kingdom of God generally point out that the Christians looked for its coming and entering it, now and the future.

The Lord Jesus Christ had shown himself to them after his Passion by many demonstrations: for forty days he had continued to appear to them and tell them about the kingdom of God. - Acts 1:3 -

Paul spent the whole of the two years in his own rented lodging. He welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone. - Acts 28:30-31 -

For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body. He will do that by the same power with which he can subdue the whole universe. - Phil. 3:20-21 -

We want to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again, and that will be the same for those who have died in Jesus: God will bring them with him. We can tell you this from the Lord's own teaching, that any of us who are left alive until the Lord coming will not have any advantage over those who have died. At the trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel will call out the command and the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to be rise, and then those of us who are still alive will be taken up in the clouds, together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. So we shall stay with the Lord for ever. With such thoughts as these you should comfort one another. - 1 Thes. 4:13-18 -

In short, you must not compromise your privilege, because the kingdom of God does not mean eating or drinking this or that, it means righteousness and peace and joy brought by the Holy Spirit. - Rom. 14:16-17 -

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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 -

'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.' - John 1:45 -

JESUS CHRIST - fully human and fully divine, Son of God born of the Virgin Mary; the great High Priest, the Head of the Universal Church, and the central figure of the human race. Jesus Christ, God's saving act for all sinful humanity. Indeed, his name (Jesus) and his title (Christ) bear witness to that saving act.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a town about ten kilometers, south of Jerusalem, toward the end of Herod the Great's reign as king of the Jews. [37-4 B.C.] Early in His life he was taken to Nazareth, a town of Galilee. There He was brought up by His mother, Mary, and her husband, Joseph, a carpenter by trade.

A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,
Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah, Tamar being their mother,
Perez was the father of Ram,
Ram was the father of Amminadab,
Amminadab the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon was the father of Boaz, Rahab being his mother,
Boaz was the father of Obed, Ruth being his mother,
Obed was the father of Jesse;
and Jesse was the father of king David.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife,
Solomon was the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asa,
Asa was the father of Jehosaphat,
Jehosaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Azariah,
Azariah was the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,
Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amon,
Amon the father of Josiah;
and Josiah was the father of Jechoniah and his brothers.

Then the deportation to Babylon:
Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud,
Abiud the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok,
Zadok the father of Eliud,
Eliud was the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob;
and Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary;
of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.

The sum of generations is therefore: fourteen from Abraham to David; fourteen from David to the Babylonian deportation; and fourteen from the Babylonian deportation to Christ. - Matt. 1:1-17 -

Jesus Christ began His public ministry when He sought baptism at the hand of John the Baptist. The Lord Jesus Christ birth stories of the Gospel According To Saint Matthew 1:17 and the Old Testament provide sufficient chronological information for human understanding. It theology are deeply interwoven with the introductory genealogy. Therefore, it is not possible to separate out the historical form and the theological date in the accounts. - Is. 11:1-2, 42:1-4, 61:1-3; Matt. 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34 -

In the New Testament, the Life, Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, represent for Christians God's saving act for sinful humanity. The Gospel is not a new plan for salvation which was begun in Israel, and was completed in the Lord Jesus Christ, and was also make known by the Universal Church. Jesus' doctrines and messages was never intended to create a new religious movement. In fact, it is a call to repentance, and it was thoroughly in accordance with the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible and the prophetic tradition of Israel.

It is clear that Jesus' call for repentance, that is, conversion of heart. Therefore, Christ Jesus is not just a messenger. He is more than a messenger of the Gospel. Truly, Jesus Christ is the gospel. God, the Father was present in His life, His teaching, His action, His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Thus, the Gospel is both a historical event and a personal relationship, and the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and the Ascension of Jesus unleashed the kingdom of God in full power.

Christ Jesus injected new life into the ethical principles of the Law of Moses. But He did not remove or impose a new set of laws that could be enforced by external sanction; The Lord Jesus Christ prescribed a way of life for His believers, followers, and the faithful to inherit eternal life. The affirmation from the Lord Jesus Christ was to 'do this and life is yours.'

There was a lawyer who, to disconcert him, stood up and said to him, 'Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' He said to him, 'What is written in the Law? What do you read there?' The lawyer replied, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.' 'You have answered right', said Jesus 'do this and life is yours.' - Luke 10:25-28 - Mark 12:28-34 - Matt. 22:34-40 - John 13:34-35 -

The principle of non-violence is deeply ingrained in Jesus' teaching. In His references to "man of violence" who tried to bring in the kingdom of God by force, Jesus gave no sign that He approved of their ideals and methods.

Jesus said to him, 'My friend, do what you are here for.' Then they came forward, seized Jesus and took him in charge. At that, one of the followers of Jesus grasped his sword and drew it; he struck out at the high priest's servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus then said, 'Put your sword back, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father who would promptly send more than twelve legions of angels to my defence? But then, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this is the way it must be?' It was at this time that Jesus said to the crowds, 'Am I a brigand, that you had to set out to capture me with swords and clubs? I sat teaching in the Temple day after day and you never laid hands on me.' Now all this happened to fulfill the prophecies in scripture. Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away. - Matt. 26:50-56 - Mark 14:43-52 - Luke 22:47-53 - John 18:1-11 -

In order to attain 'Eternal Life' the Lord Jesus Christ gave a 'New Commandment' and it is the 'greatest.' This 'New Commandment' are the present work of the Lord Jesus Christ and the future work are dependent of His "finished work." That "finished work" was the beginning of God's good work in the people. This work will not be completed until "the Day of Christ" when the entire universe will be united "in Christ Jesus."

One of the scribes who had listened to them debating and had observed how well Jesus had answered them, now came up and put a question to him, 'Which is the first of all commandments?' Jesus replied, 'This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.' The scribe said to him, 'Well spoken, Master; what you have said is true: that he is one and there is no other. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself, this is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice.' Jesus, seeing how wisely he had spoken, said, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' And after that no one dared to question him anymore. - Mark 12:28-34 -

But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they got together and to disconcert him, one of them put a question, 'Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?' Jesus said, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets also.' - Matt. 22:34-40 -

I give you a new commandment:
love one another;
just as I have loved you,
you also must love one another.
By this love you have for one another,
everyone will know that you are my disciples. - John 13:34-35 -

This will help you to become pure and blameless, and prepare you for 'the Day of Christ' when you will reach the perfect goodness which Jesus Christ produces in us for the glory and praise of God. - Eph. 1:10-11 -

So then, my dear friends, continue to do as I tell you, as you always have; not only as you did when I was there with you, but even more now that I am no longer there; and work for your salvation 'in fear and trembling.' It is God, for his own loving purpose, who puts both the will and the action into you. Do all that has to be done without complaining or arguing and then you will be innocent and genuine, perfect children of God among a deceitful and underhand brood, and you will shine in the world like bright stars because you are offering it the word of life. This would give me something to be proud of for 'the Day of Christ' and would mean that I had not run in the race and exhausted myself for nothing. - Phil. 2:12-16 -

Very soon now, I shall be with you again, bringing the reward to be given to every man according to what he deserves. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Happy are those who will have washed their robes clean, so that they will have the right to feed on the tree of life and can come through the gates into the city. - Rev. 22:12-14 -

                                                                          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 -

A tremendous event has taken place in your life. It happened on the day of your baptism. Christ entered into you as king into His kingdom. His divine life, His very spirit, signified by the baptismal water, was, through the action of baptizing, planted in your soul, "poured" into it. It is God's Word that tells us so. "As many as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying "Abba Father!" "It is no longer I who live then, but Christ who lives in me." - Gal. 3:27, 4:6, 2:20 -

This life of Jesus in your soul is called by many names. It is called 'Christian' life because it is Christ's life in the soul; it is called 'spiritual' life because it is the life of Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity; it is the life shared in common by the three Divine Persons; it is also called 'supernatural' life because it is not natural, not born of flesh and blood; and 'divine' life because it is the life of God; it is called 'interior' life too, so as to distinguish it from life lived on natural impulses. It is finally, called the New Life as opposed to the 'old life' of sinfulness originating in the sin of our first parents.

How is this life nourished? This divine or Christian life in us is nourished by the Sacraments, - that is why it is called 'sacramental life' - chiefly by the Sacrament of the Sacred Eucharist Meal: it is resurrected, when killed or healed, when wounded, by the Sacrament of Reconciliation. What kills this mysterious Christ-life and what wounds it, how the Sacraments and the Word of God nourish it, how it is mediated to all through the living Body of the Church, how through the mutual mediation and sharing of this Christ-life the whole Family of Man is gradually 'becoming Christ' how the hidden activities of this life come to surface, as it were, and are perceived by that delicate radar of the soul; the Voice of Conscience - all these are amazing facts of the ever on-going history of God's saving action in his world. Here your immediate concern is to LEARN CHRIST, to taste and to experience and to love and to live the NEW SPIRIT which Christ brought into our world at His Incarnation and gifted to us in our baptism.

But Christ entered into your soul at baptism just as He entered the world at His Incarnation, like a king into enemy territory. He brings His new spirit into a body and soul where another spirit already reigns. That other spirit is totally different from and hostile to the spirit of Christ. We might very appropriately call it the "anti-Christ" in us. It has many names. The spirit of Selfishness is one. Sinfulness is another. It is also called inordinate self-love, self-center, corrupt nature, the Old Man, the Old Adam, the Flesh, Covetousness, Concupiscence, the Power of Darkness, Worldliness. It manifests itself in different forms like pride, vainglory, anger, sensuality, gluttony, avarice, sloth, according to the differing objects it covets.

It is plain to see that from the moment of our baptism we are committed to a war, within us and around us, between the spirit of Christ (the  New Man as it is called) and the spirit of the "anti-Christ" (or the Old Man) which the world and every man coming into it has inherited from Adam. The implication is obvious. I am, my very body and soul is, a theater of war. I must expel - or starve out, 'disaffiliate myself from' or more simply, renounce or mortify - the spirit that is opposed to Christ's and allow Christ, through my generous and willing cooperation, to insert His divine spirit into every part of me, to baptize me with the New spirit in the whole of my being, to penetrate me with it completely just as fire penetrates a piece of iron and makes it red hot through and through.

How does one expel, (renounce, or 'disaffiliate oneself from') the anti-Christian spirit in one's self? How does one put on the spirit of Christ or Become Christ? There are two ways. One way is to 'pursue the enemy' to fight against it directly, to keep saying 'no' to pride in me and sensuality in me and anger in me and so on. The attention is focused on self. This is a negative way; it is useful, even necessary now and again, in times of stress or of violent temptation when a particular foe becomes insolent and strong. But continued too long, it becomes discouraging and oppressive.

There is a better way, one that is more positive and appealing. It is the Christ-centered way. It consists in looking at Christ, in exposing one's self to His humility, to the bracing, inspiring, heavenly spirit that shows through His words and actions. Expose yourself to Christ in the Gospels, to Christ in His saints, to Christ in His Body, the Church, to Christ in your community, to Christ in every happening within you and around you. These are all sacraments; they mediate Christ to you. So doing, you will, by and by, imperceptibly, "become" Christ in your way of thinking and of acting. You will have learnt Christ. You will by a kind of divine sense (faith, we call it) discern the spirit of Christ inspiring you from within and you will unresistingly allow it to draw you by its attraction: you will in the same process instinctively turn your back upon and firmly renounce the prompting of the evil spirit, the "anti-Christ" in you.

Such is the positive way of "becoming" (or learning) Christ; it is both pleasurable and appealing, attractive and simple. One advances towards the light and in doing so recedes from the darkness; one acquires taste for virtue and thereby loses the taste for vice. The constant companionship and contemplation of Christ imperceptibly imbues the soul with Christ's noble thoughts and desires and these make one lose interest in those sprouting from concupiscence.

After tasting the beautiful loving spirit of Christ one forsakes the ugly violent spirit of concupiscence. This positive or Christo-centric way takes away undue preoccupation with one's self, with one's progress in virtue, with one's faults and imperfections and keeps far away the discouragement and spiritual weariness that this kind of fault-finding with one's self can generate. It needs to be emphasized, however, that the positive and the negative ways are both necessary for the Christian life in us to develop well. In fact, they are not two different ways, but one with two facets like a chisel with two edges. It is more wholesome, however, and more rewarding to use its positive edge one.


BY  REV.  FR.  J.  B. FERNANDES.  S. J.
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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 Transfiguration calls to mind both God's redemption through the Exodus and the future return [Second Coming] and glory of Christ Jesus, God's only begotten Son. It is indeed, complex and hard to imagine what Jesus looked like when He was transfigured, or changed in form. The Gospel told us that: "There in their presence He was transfigured: His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light." Thus, the Transfiguration is an action, and a display of God's glory in the person of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son.

In the Old Testament, the Transfiguration concludes with God's voice speaking from the cloud, which marked God's presence. That is, God takes possession of the sanctuary. "The cloud covered the Tent of Meeting and the glory of Yahweh filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because of the cloud that rested on it and because of the glory of Yahweh that filled the tabernacle." - Ex. 40:34-35 -

Let me proclaim Yahweh's decree;
he has told me, 'You are my son,
today I have become your father. - Ps. 2:7 -

Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom my soul delights.
I have endowed him with my spirit
that he may bring true justice to the nations. - Is. 42:1 -

With that in mind, the Transfiguration clearly point to the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible that all focuses are on the person, the Lord Jesus Christ. The purpose of the Transfiguration is primarily for Peter, James, and John. This is clear from the Voice, which is directed to them.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus, 'Lord' he said 'it is wonderful for us to be here, if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.' When they heard this, the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. 'Stand up' he said 'do not be afraid.' And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus. - Matt. 17:1-8 - Mark 9:2-8 - Luke 9:28-36 -

The Word was made flesh,
he lived among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,
full of grace and truth. - John 1:14 -

The next day, seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, 'Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. This is the one I spoke of when I said: A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. I did not know him myself, and yet it was to reveal him to Israel that I came baptizing with water.' John also declared, 'I saw the Spirit coming down on him from heaven like a dove and resting on him. I did not know him myself, but he who sent me to baptise with water had said to me, "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and rest is the one who is going to baptise with the Holy Spirit." Yes, I have seen and I am the witness that he is the Chosen One of God.' - John 1:29-34 -

In the Transfiguration God showed clearly that Jesus is the only begotten Son of the living God, superior to the two great Old Testament figures, Moses and Elijah, and all others. Jesus' transfiguration has been understood that Jesus is fully human and fully divine. The transfiguration of Jesus transcended all humans phenomenon. The pre-existent glory of Jesus, the Son of the living God and the glory resulting from His resurrection, exaltation and at the same time, the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ are also present in the Transfiguration account.

His state was divine,
yet he did not cling
to his equality with God
but emptied himself
to assume the condition of a slave,
and became as men are;
and being as all men are,
he was humbler yet,
even to accepting death,
death on a cross.

But God raised him high
and gave him the name
which is above all other names
so that all beings
in the heavens, on earth and in the underworld,
should bend the knee at the name of Jesus
and that every tongue should acclaim
Jesus Christ as Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. - Phil. 2:6-11 -

It was not any cleverly invented myths that we were repeating when we brought you the knowledge of the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; we had seen his majesty for ourselves. He was honoured and glorified by God the Father, when the Sublime Glory itself spoke to him and said, This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. We heard this ourselves, spoken from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain. - 2 Peter 1:16-18 -

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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 -