God Of The Bible

The ‘Existence With Enough’

/ Kay Loke / Leave a comment

14/09/21

The ‘Existence With Enough’ 

‘In His hand is the life of every living thing and breath of all mankind (Job 12:10)

One of the recent stories from a fiction blogger says that people’ lack of understanding for Existence with enough.’ Without being philosophical, I ask myself whether only I exist on earth or live life? Without being mindful of other presence in God’s Creations, people, naturally all in wants, only in lack of different things, and to the point as Michael Douglas says in his 1987 film, ‘Wall Street’ that ‘Greed Is Good.’ As what enough is enough for being a Christian, all I could discern is that it’s all about Jesus and His finished work on the Cross.

For weeks, I didn’t have the flow to write. September was ’emotional’ because of the 20th anniversary of 911. I could share what happened to me on that day, 20-years ago, but I didn’t feel led to change the topic. I felt restless in my spirit, and films/TV series such as the ‘Homeland,’ The Turning Point,’ and Michael Moore’s ‘Fahrenheit 911’ were available for viewing. In the end, I have glued my eyes to Netflix as if watching 3 or 4 episodes a day was not enough. Finally, enough was enough for me when the study of Matthew kicked start from ‘The Temptation of Jesus’ to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.’

Believing, all Christians would aim to live to pleasing  God, filled with His blessings, and be Holy as He is Holy.  However, after Adam sinned against God in the Garden, our excruciating Existence is that the Sin’s DNA is ‘our wilful independence’ from God.According to (Exodus 19:4-7), ‘when God asked Moses to tell His people to obey His voice and keep His covenant and shall be unto God a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Immediately, The people all responded together, “We will do everything the LORD has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.”

Subsequently, we see in the next chapter (Exodus 20), God wrote His Ten Commandments on two stone tablets with His finger (Exodus 31:1). Moses heeded to bring them down as ‘tablets of Covenant’ for God’s people after his mountaintop experiences with God from the Biblical Mount Sinai. And, we know that the First Five Books in the Old Testaments is the Torah. The sacred scriptures of Jewish Faith and Ritual comprise 613 additional commandments translated as ‘law’ to guide the Jews concerning many facets of their daily life, such as dietary, personal hygiene, and family.

What shall we consider having 613 guiding principles to preside over people’s life?  If ‘For whoever keeps the whole yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it (James 2:10)?’ Or as what Apostle Paul quoted from scriptures in the Old Testament saying that “There is no one righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10).” And knowing that what it says ‘For the wages of sin is death’ in  (Romans 6:23a), whereas “God is jealous.” – (Exodus20:5). ” not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” . –  (2 Peter3:9).

It was the immeasurable depth, height, width and the length of His love, His long-suffering patience toward us and understanding that His people need a Savour. HE sent His Son Jesus as His gift for our Salvations. Given ‘the Passion of Christ’ and Jesus’ obedience to the Cross, And God’s redemptive love made us victors over our Sins (past/present/future), Death, and Guilts. And the Righteousness of God in Christ was accredited to us when the Grace saved us through Faith (Ephesians 2:8a). That’s “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” -(Galatians 3:27) –

Then we have the Holy Spirit as the second helper (John 14:16-26) in us to live life on earth. So, we are all set. But why Apostle Paul says in Romans 7:15 that ‘For I do not understand, my actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate?’ He is talking about his sin conscious actions in the passage. Considering all of his epistles, which take up 1/3 of the New Testament, were to warn us that if we are constantly thinking about Sin or Laws, the sin consciousness will arouse us to sin more. The word ‘SIN’ mentions 25 times in his entire book of ‘Romans’ but more than 20 times are as ‘Nouns’ not ‘Verbs.’  

Apostle Paul wants our focus on the Grace of God that is Jesus. –Titus 2:11-14. We all have been there, like what Apostle Paul struggled, even for born again Christians. Our spiritual muscles are not strong enough; our knowledge of our dear Lord of God, Jesus and His truth is shallow. We strive without ceasing and naively believe that we can use our religious behaviours or performances to impress God and others. And we have pathetically reduced our Faith into following a list of Do’s/Don’ts rituals while we know that our God looks into our hearts, motives our beings. 

Moses’ Law tells us what God considers as Sin and what HE detests. God’s Law must be observed not in part, but in total perfection. And Jesus did that already. As in Paul’s letter to Corinthians sayings that “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.1 Corinthians 15:56  Apostle Paul quoted from the Old Testament as it’s written that “Death has been swallowed up in victory,” 1 Corinthians 15:54 to point us to Jesus’ finished work on the Cross .- (John17:4).There are 30 scriptures about the blood of Jesus and I love the one from Romans 5:9 :

 ‘Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”

In the New Testament, ‘In Christ’ is the key. No actions are enough when I move to the goal of my ‘Utmost for His Highest,’ except to be in Him with His resurrection power in me. When we felt that HE forgave much of our unpardonable sins, we would love Him much. For example, Jesus has repaid my times recently eaten by the Netflix with my times to relearn His’ Sermon on the Mount.’  So, next time, I will think twice before I flap my remote control. I know neither that I would be like His friend,  Martha in the Bible, as cooking is not my favourite spots; nor I would buy the exquisite perfume and sitting next to Him, because  I allergic to scent, and will none stop sneezing,

But I could ask Him to make me a true ‘Sarah’s daughter, how with her gentle and quiet spirit toward Abraham, her husband.’ If HE ever thought my husband needs a new wife, may it be me as I plead? After all, “And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – (Hebrew 11:6)  Finally, what enough is enough for my soul to live, and that’s what says so profoundly, as follow, and I should start to pray to be able to enjoy Him and appreciate His great sense of humour.

‘The more you grasp that God is your good Father, the more you will seek to interpret life from His perspective.’ 

Prayers of father Abraham’s Servant

/ Kay Loke / Leave a comment

Prayers of father Abraham’s Servant

01/03/2021

We finished the lesson on Genesis Chapter 24 before the BSF took a break for the Chinese New Year holiday. Comparatively, this is the longest chapter of the book of Genesis. With the COVID-19, all group sharing, and lectures are virtual except the written notes. The lesson is a familiar story in three parts. The father Abraham (Gen.24:1-9), an unnamed servant (24:10-61), and the detail on Isaac and Rebecca is brief (62-67). 

The (Time) was when Abraham was old and lived in Canaan (Place/location). Concerning God’s purpose (Genesis 2:18) and promises (Gen.12:1-3), Abraham resolves to find a wife for his son, Isaac. And he asks a senior servant in his household to swear by the LORD of God of heaven and earth to see through that Isaac shouldn’t marry to any Canaanites’ daughters. And the romance of Isaac Rebecca merits separate writing. 

I first studied the book on Genesis many years ago. This nameless servant’s prayer (Genesis 24:10-61)was exemplary of Prayer 101 to me. He is sincere, specific, concise, spirit-led in every step he takes. It had challenged me to take part in what says in Jeremiah 29:11-13 that in line with this servant’s prayer in Genesis 24 as my prayer for God’s purpose, plans and promises for me. I have also embraced scriptures from Proverbs 3:5-6 in my walk of faith.

I thought puff-upness to be a candidate for a prayer graduate, till I put my heart on Genesis 24:10-61. Thinking of a name is essential, yet he was unnamed, which means that he wouldn’t earn anything for himself for what he did. He saw the miracle that God gave his aged master a son, Isaac. He was also an old man, himself. But with a strong sense of mission and his love for his master, he took on a 600 miles long journey on his master’s command. 

He knew what’s ahead of him. He knew that God would be with him and enable him to keep his promise to his master in Faith. As a servant in humanity, he prayed single-mindedly and waited for God’s marching order before taking every step. He specifically asked God to point him to approach the right girl, and God was faithful. Besides his faithfulness, honourable, and love toward his master, Abraham, I saw his total reliance upon the Almighty.

I pray for myself, my loved ones, and others like most Christians. I admitted that I could Relate (who God is), Repent (changing the mindset towards Him), but the challenge is that the third ‘R-word’ Rely (on His will and His ways). From this part of the story, Abraham’s servant needs not to have a name for people to remember who he is and his deeds for God and his master because it is all about HIM. It says that no Christian can graduate from Prayer. As we are in the New Testament time, we have had Jesus and the Holy Spirit in us, we only need to pray without ceasing as says in: 

Luke 18:1 NIV

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

The Invisible Epidemic (rewrite)

/ Kay Loke / Leave a comment

01/10/2020

updated from 31/05 and 14/06/2020

I was stunned to what says WHO (World Health Organization) dated May 21, 2020, that the number of the confirmed COVID-19 case reached Five-million, worldwide. Later, from theGardain, UK (www.thegardain) that ‘the COVID-19 is affecting almost everything that’s happening on the planet at the moment.’ The statement inspirited me to post a write-up on 31/05/2020. However, I put it back to the draft, a few days later. I know that God didn’t send down the COVID, but did it make it a criterion for a miracle that mirrors the same process of how Jesus miraculously feeding the 5000 with the microscopic means ( 2-fishes and 5-loaf-of bread) with COVID pandemic? It is difficult for people to understand God’s will and God’s way, if they don’t have the faith.

Let us go back and take a good look from the beinning. The World Health Organization told us that  COVID-19 is a family of virus. Now, woefully, months later, people around the world are still asking the same questions like how long the virus can survive on the open? How does the contagion work? Would warm temperature help ward off the virus? All countries still face the same challenge from day one. Such as ‘The Testing of the COVID-19,’ the scared supplies of Test Kits (www.cdc.gov). All the public health systems are too crushing to cope with demands. Ether people died before they reach the hospital, or died in the presence of their loved ones at home, or died alone at nursing homes. www.oecd.org. 

We saw horrific and graphic news coverages in the first quarter of 2020. Many cities such as New York or cities in Italy all toils with the death tolls of COVID-19 because all funeral homes and churches overflow. Clinically, some symptoms are treatable, but no specific treatment approved for it yet. Finally, it says that Coronavirus has different species so that the safe and affordable vaccine would need times to test and validation. Most of all the affected countries have implemented the recommended preventive measures such as mask-ups, social distance, washing hands, quarantines, and travel restrictions, yet, the spread of Coronavirus and the spike of the death toll without ceasing. Considering the pandemic that no Test is available for all, no drugs to cure-all, the vaccines are still in the embryonic stage, is that our immune system what are left for us to fight for this virus?

It says that the old life-style died hard. Long before people become more aware of the importance of exercises and balanced/nutritious meals, we heard the eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt tests positive for COVID-19 after partying in Jamaica. And Bolt is not the only Olympic gold medalist tests positive. Many young people have gone into the same path. By God’s mercy that not all who test positive would end it up in ICU beds, and not all of infected resulted in death. It is why many countries have toyed with the decision to lift the social distancing, travel restrictions and other recommended preventative measures either for social or economic reasons. The most significant global challenge is how to have a safe return to school for children.

At first, I saw a broken window, and the word ‘ONE’ like a repeatedly audible voice to me. I meditated on what it meant if that’s “Oneness ?’ Or ‘is it One Step at the time?’ At that point, the copy of the Bible come to the mind that puzzled me a great deal. Next day, I couldn’t believe with my own eyes to see the reruns of the world news covered ‘President Trump stands in front of Church holding his Bible after threatening military action against protesters.’ I assumed that holding up the copy of the Bible must have been President Trump’s conviction in the given situation that he has faced. It’s the validation of my vision. The Bible is God’s Word, God’s Word is intangible because of what it signifies. The Word is tangible, because it become flesh, and that’s alive and active. 

I ponder deeply on that is it for me to dive deep into the Word again? Or for others to take it on? God is forever faithful. With no coincidence, and by chance, I have been in my third week of Bible studies on the book of Genesis, under the structure of www.bsf.com, International Bible Study Fellowship. In the third chapter of the book is about ‘The Serpent’s Deception” that attributes to our sinfulness nature and in the fourth chapter says how human race has suffered fatal consequences. The studies have affirmed my assumption that the spirit of Fear and the Sinfulness of human that spring from the Coronavirus is the invisible pandemic, which is probably more lethal and destructive than the spread of the Coronavirus.

The danger of the widespread misinformation, which was a great deal of truth merged with an element of untruth. There was also in those fabrications that gave the power to deceive. People would share it and send it without reservation. Eventually, it would be like the contagious pandemic. A special report from the BBC Trending might give us a perspective. The title reads “Coronavirus: The seven types of people who start and spread viral misinformation” – (https://www.bbc.com) 4 May 2020, by Marianna Spring. Take, for example, that racial injustice/racial discrimination has unmasked in every aspect of American life for many decades. During COVID-19 pandemic, with ‘Floyd’s killing,’ the ‘open window effect‘ has triggered the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement to protest against all racially motivated police brutality.

It has made the general public sentiment of ‘white supremacist,’ ‘anti-immigrant and ‘ hate crimes‘ escalated. In Asia, the Anti-government riot had shaken Hong Kong for months since June 2019. The rioters smashed a few of the central subway stations, occupied the airport. It were showing no signs of dying down, but, by the grace of COVID, the level of the violence scale down a bit, but didn’t die down. It presents threats that the protests would carry into the year 2020 and beyond. In Thailand, we saw young people openly and boldly vent their grievances on the street of Bangkok to protest against the leader of their country. for months. What went wrong with the world that we live at now? Immediately, the following scripture come to me“ The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NIV)

Fear is a kind of emotional disorder that is never from God (2 timothy 1:7).  However, after Adam sinned against God, the fear of death cleves the entire world. The fear due to the impact of the COVID-19 would be too long to list. And let us profile how emotional the spirit of Fear factor into the financial and business world. As the case search upsurge, a sense of panic attacked the Wall Street 2020 stock market crash on 09/03/2020, the Black Monday. With the OIL Price saga (http://Opec.org), and the anticipation of wars consumed people. In this present darkness of the pandemic, people are fearful of this virulent diseases, fearful of death or simply paranoid. We saw the news that people were hoarding and clearing up things on the shelves in supermarkets, especially toilet paper. Why toilet paper, Is hoarding psychology of Fear?

According to the case tracking update via http://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ of 29/09/2020, the total number of the case was 33,872,971, and the total death toll is 1,013,146. With unprecedented speed, it says that there are probably more than hundred COVID Vaccine developers across the world. They are joining in contests with hopes to become the first to bring one to the market to lighten the global crisis. Would the safety issues of the Clinical Trials and Immunisation be able to allow people to Fear Not to inject into their bodies? Even after a vaccine is approved, it confronts other challenges when it comes to production, distribution and pricing that also includes the decision of which populations should get it first. Many vaccines also have to remain in a perpetual stage of regular study due to the complexity of the COVID-19. 

The COVID-19 has affected the world too disruptive for too long. Where do we stand and when the spread of this virus is going to end? People naturally would zero into the development of the Coronavirus, and hoping the Vaccine would be available without being delay. However, as the Coronavirus has evolved, the pervasive of the sinful human nature and the spirit of Fear spreding like any epidemic are not only more destructive, but also an impossible human condition that would be able to find cure within human sufficiences.The entire Bible has introduced God’s Love to His followers. Jesus is Love. His love endures forever, either for the multitude of 5000 or 5 million or the whole world population as Oneness. For God So Loved (John 3:16).

It says that ‘His perfect love drives out Fear (1 John 4:18).’ As we reflected on the process of how Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the 5000, with insignificant means. The multitude took the pain to go and follow Jesus to a remote place with One heart, and in One spirit listened to His teaching intently. They kept distancing with others with no unpleasantness as what Jesus told them to (Luke 9:14). After all, we have had only One planet to be at, we have had only One humankind, and we all have had only One life to live. Now, the Coronavirus is the common enemy of the entire world. We need to believe that HE will miraclously stop the pandemic in His times and in His ways, with or without the Vaccine. However, the Vaccine for the the Invisible Epidemic is His redemptive love, whenever we call upon His powerful Name, and walk with Him.(Genesis chapter 4-7).

Although HE didn’t send down the COVID to test us, globally, the Coronavirus has held us all still for a long time. Is it possible that God wants us ‘to be still and know HE is God? (Psalms 46:10),’ and’ to exalt Him to be the desire of all nations? (Haggai 2:7)?’ Finally, I am moved with tears when I heard the ’50 Countries Affected By COVID-19 Represented in One Song‘ on YouTube singing ‘Amazing Grace‘ in 50 different languages, but sang in ONE Song to glorify His Name. HE is at work. As like how HE prepares, in advance, the fish/bread to feed the 5000, and how HE was invisibly behind Noah to construct the ark (Genesis 6) and HE has been amid the pandemic with us since the first outbreak. I have taken more than four months to keep up with the ramifications of the COVID, and I don’t feel like to have another dose of a rewrite when the second wave of infections outbreak is happening in Europe. 

colossians 1:13 kjv

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.