Breakfast. Idolatry. Cupcakes. God's Faithfulness. God's Discipline.

One never quite acknowledges the presence of an idol in one's life until one rises in the morning to worship it, only to find it has been taken away in the night.

Humans were made for worship and so everyone worships something, even those who claim to be atheists. The sorrow and mourning with which one greets the disappearance of that which we worship and the resultant emptiness in our lives betray the identity of that god (some material thing, or a relationship, or a person, or even a talent or trait that we die die must have).

Surely it is useless to give one's all for a false god, a god who either promises much or whom we think promises much but cannot deliver. On the threshold of the Promised Land, the Book of Deuteronomy tells us that Moses reminded the Israelites of the faithfulness of God: how he had made a seemingly impossible promise to Abraham and Sarah, who were barren in their old age, that he would give them descendants more numerous than the stars in the sky (Genesis 22, Genesis 26) and how this had indeed been fulfilled (cf Deuteronomy 10:22). This was but a snapshot, a sample, of the overarching faithfulness of God who would go on to promise through various prophets (as recorded for us in the Old Testament) that he had seen the suffering and pain and death in this fallen world caused by the sin of man and that he could and was more than willing to save anyone who would avail himself/herself to his rescue. This rescue, the prophets said, would come through an anointed king who was God himself (Psalm 2), the Son of Man who would come to judge the world (Daniel 7), and also through a suffering servant of God (Isaiah 53).

When Jesus arrived, he proved to be able to do the things only God could do - not just healing the sick, lame, deaf, blind and casting out demons without any mumbo-jumbo, but also raising the dead, creating food and controlling "nature" (Mark 1:18-8:26). He acknowledged Peter's confession that he was the Christ, the promised anointed divine king, he said he was the Son of Man too but was also adamant that he was the suffering servant of God (Mark 8:27-31). All the promises of God, then, were focused in on one man, Jesus.

Our trust in God is no blind faith, since he has ensured sufficient evidence of his past acts of faithfulness and truthfulness. Jesus has shown that he is the cumulative fulfilment of God's promises and indeed that he is God himself.

The first commandment given to Moses was "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:2-3). A commandment to be obeyed, yet also a plain statement of fact (cf Deuteronomy 4:32-35). There is no other god to be worshipped besides the LORD.

So Jesus' commandment to those who would trust in him as Christ and Son of Man and Suffering Servant to "deny himself, take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34) is also something to be obeyed, yet the first part also stems from a plain statement of fact: if God is God, there is no other to be worshipped and no other who can interpret reality and tell us of what is to come. Therefore, it is obvious that we must deny all attempts to interpret reality, all attempts to mold Jesus into the nice, hippie saviour we can be comfortable telling our friends about, all attempts to ascribe to God what he has never promised, all attempts to place importance on anything other than God and what God deems important (as expounded in Jesus' words and the gospel (Mark 8:35,38)).

All such delusional attempts will end in failure. Setting one's mind on anything but the things of God as revealed in Scripture has the stink of Satan about it (Mark 8:33). So unsurprisingly, the idolater will does this will lose his life and his soul and be rejected by Jesus when he comes again to judge the living and the dead (Mark 8:34-38).

But sadly, this doesn't stop us professing believers in Christ from wallowing, at times, in this carcinogenic sludge. Sure, one has the niggling feeling at times that perhaps one could be worshipping something other than the One True God (we speak of idols of the non-shiny kind of course, gold leaf being rather vulgar and crass these days cf a certain calf sculpture at the foot of Mount Sinai circa approximately 1,300 B.C.), but with a bit of stonewalling and a lot of dressing up with godly motives and reasons, the conscience soon had its naggy mouth taped over and we were free to enjoy the apparent pleasures offered by the aforementioned god. and the real extent of that cancer's hold on us.

In the cold light of day, our idolatry is starkly stupid. Did our idols create us that in their absence we perish? Would God have us waste our tears over the death of a folly, the removal of a trap of Satan? Do we forget that Moses said to the adulterous Israelites when the writing was still fresh on the covenantal stone:

Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'" And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you. (Exodus 32:7-10)

Our worship of other gods is insulting to the One True God, and he who created us could have rightly destroyed us.

But if we are reading or typing this then he has not. Because in his immense grace and patience, God elects instead to forcibly remove the tumour, bit by bit. Yet we dare blame him for this and threaten to renounce our heavenly citizenship unless he reinstate the same, or even plead for him to take away our lifebreath now that we have no more reason to live.

Scripture about God disciplining us is "a word of encouragement" because it addresses us as God's children:

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives." (Hebrews 12:5)

We are not to respond to God's discipline with resentment but instead be comforted(!) that God does this because he loves us:

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12)

Moses reminded the Israelites of the same thing in Deuteronomy:

Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you. (Deuteronomy 8:5)

God's discipline is in fact further evidence of God's faithfulness, for what God who promised to rescue will allow his sheep to stray into the mouths of wolves:

I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. (Psalms 119:75)

The right response to discipline is not to chaff but to repent:

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

We repent not by gritting our teeth and chanting "all things work for the good of those who love him" or "this is the best of all possible worlds", but by turning back to God.

Perhaps the dichotomy of mind and heart as is popular in many Christian circles which say that head knowledge must then become heart knowledge must be addressed. While the acknowledgement of mere factual information about God never saved anyone since even the demons acknowledge there is one God and shudder (James 2:19), disobedience and thus idolatry come from error and unbelief in the mind - not comprehending the goodness and faithfulness of God, not trusting that God is God, or that his words are true.

When we find ourselves in sin, or by the grace of God, disciplined for our idolatry, then we must take heed to examine again God's Word and the record of his deeds throughout the whole of human history. Obedience and trust in God isn't quite a matter of applying what we have learnt in bible study; rather it is deepening a relationship with a stable, dependable Father whose ways are not as capricious as humans whose moods vary according to the amount of sleep they've had the previous night, how well they have been fed, the ambient temperature of their environment and how boring the present company.

Thanks to Billy and Cindy Foote who kindly sent me their Not a god CD before mp3s were readily downloadable from the web:


You Are God Alone

You are not a god created by human hands
You are not a god dependent on any mortal man
You are not a god in need of anything we can give
By Your plan that's just the way it is

You are God alone, from before time began
You were on your throne, You were God alone
And right now, in the the good times and bad
You are on Your throne, You are God alone

You're Unchangeable, You're Unshakeable
You're Unstoppable, that's what You are

You're the only God whose power none can contend
You're the only God whose name and praise will never end
You're the only God who's worthy of everything we can give
You are God that's just the way it is

God (+ Nourishing Food) => Faith, Hope, Love

Was reminded recently that relationships are built on, inter alia, time. Just like grunting over the morning paper at breakfast doesn't quite make a marriage relationship, so that quick "Quiet Time" before the day starts isn't quite enough for our relationship with God.

While mere silent meditation is unfruitful, there is much nourishment in reading God's word, discussing his thoughts and plans and having them explained. It's instructive that Jesus' compassion for the people in Mark 6:30-56 is not directed at their poor health or demon possession but at their lack of knowledge about God and about himself (Mark 6:34); they were like sheep without a shepherd.

Already in Ezekiel's time, the shepherds of Israel were criminally negligent in caring for God's flock (Ezekiel 34): they had not strengthened the weak, nor healed the sick, nor bound up the injured, nor brought back those who strayed, nor sought the lost. Instead, they themselves were like the wild beasts that attacked the sheep (Ezekiel 34:10), and being themselves sheep, had sabotaged any opportunity for other sheep to know God - "Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?" (Ezekiel 34:18-19).

There has been much discussion about church leadership in certain circles lately. Leaders, as David Jackman helpfully points out in relation to 1 Thessalonians 5, are not those designated as "pastor" or "elder" or "deacon" and the like. Perhaps first and foremost, they are shepherds of God's people. They have compassion on those who do not know God and, like Jesus the Promised Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:23-29), feed them with the whole counsel of God, encouraging the fainthearted and helping the weak etc (1 Thessalonians 5:14ff). It is to these that we should give our respect.

But the troublemakers referred to in 2 Thessalonians 2 are despicable. Instead of encouraging and strengthening, they discouraged and deceived, causing sheep to wander off the safe path into minefields by telling them that Jesus had already come secretly or that they had special knowledge of the date and time of his coming. Paul's comfort to the trembling sheep was: (i) anyone who claims to have had a secret visit from Jesus or to be able to predict the time and place of The Day is surely a wolf savaging the sheep because Jesus' coming will be really very obvious and (ii) only God knows the date he himself has chosen for this momentous event and Jesus will come suddenly, like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5).

So we sheep ought not to concern ourselves with trying to predict this future, and we are not to worry about it even when the man of lawlessness, the epitome of human rebellion against God, appears and seems unfettered. God is in complete control (2 Thessalonians 2). Rather, we should concentrate on the fact that this future is certain. Therefore, living in the steadfast hope of such a time of judgment and salvation, we ought to be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:5-10). Proper preparation for the Day is living in imitation of the King who is coming to save his people (cf Isaiah 59:17).

While all the hard work that went into Yio Chu Kang Chapel's Mueller: A Walk of Faith was appreciated, especially in the scoring and costume departments, the script didn't quite grab a big enough chunk of the mind-blowingness and heart-poundingness that is real faith. William Taylor of St. Helen's Bishopsgate though has just completed a series on Heroic Faith and Hebrews 11 which, being too much to do justice in summary, greatly repays listening.

And as we were discussing what this world terms "love" - first "loves", serial dating, the multitude of reasons and circumstances that might cause one to dispose of a dating relationship and the meaninglessness of such relationships in the first place, it seemed that real love (that is, the unselfish patient love first shown by God to us as revealed in Scripture and that we thus show to others) in comparison was a beautiful nourishing thing, patient and kind, brimming with assurance not fear, and headed for a certain and perfect end.

Still, one is reminded time and again of the "both...and" that characterises so much of Christian life: that even if the shepherds aren't feeding frozen tv dinners to the flock or making lamb chops with mashed peas on the side, there will always be those whose sinfulness will excuse their idleness with a misapplication of godliness (cf 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15). Because while the teaching of God's word is God's chosen way of growing his sheep and keeping them on the straight path, it is ultimately not our perseverance but God who perseveres us. For his glory.

And so because God has chosen us to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, calling us through the gospel so that we may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, so then, stand firm and hold to the teachings in the Bible...and also let us pray earnestly that our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort our hearts and establish them in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17).

May we not be like those who do not believe the gospel, refuse to love the truth about God and his Son and so be saved, for God will give them over to their delusion, that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12)!

Earworm of the week:

Jesus, Thank You

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Lover of my soul
I want to live for You

© 2003 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP). Words and music by Pat Sczebel. As recorded on Worship God Live.

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Fruit Paradise

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391 Orchard Road
Takashimaya Singapore Department Store, Level 2
Tel: +65 6735 6833

Funan Weng Ipoh Ho Fun
32 Maxwell Road
#01-07 Maxwell Chambers
Tel: +65 6238 5038

once upon a milkshake
32 Maxwell Road
#01-08 Maxwell Chambers
Tel: +65 9823 3779

Midlake, the Courage of Others Failed. Not Having Faith in the Acts of a Man, the Ruler Ruling All Things

We were discussing a nutritious serving of Mark 4:35-5:43 over an equally tasty lunch. It is already a great comfort that Jesus demonstrates not only that he has authority over all nature (the storm), over all the supernatural/Satan (the legion-demon-possessed man), over life and death itself (Jairus' daughter); even more so that he is not using his great power in arrogant self-sufficiency and selfish showmanship like the flamboyant Samson of Judges 16; and most fantastic of all, that in his demonstration of sovereign rule over all things, he is reversing the effects of the Fall - the rebellion of creation (the storm), the temporary (though doomed) sub-rule of Satan in this world (the violent, malevolent demon-possessed man), and death (cf Genesis 3).

Therefore, if we are in him, there is no need to fear in any circumstance since Jesus has control over everything. And there is no need to fear his unparallelled power either; instead we should have faith in him, because he intends to return all things to their proper order under God.


Random earworms:

Midlake, The Courage of Others - Acts of Man


Midlake, The Courage of Others - Rulers Ruling All Things


The Irrepressibles, Mirror, Mirror - In This Shirt


The XX, xx - Crystalised

Authentic Gospel Ministry: Tough But Tasty

There is something deliciously and transformingly wholesome about true gospel ministry; like from-scratch pasta sauce with its layered texture and complex flavour that inevitably prompts the singing of (silly) songs late into the night thereafter. Or that could have been the pinot noir.

Bad simile, bad bad simile. Go sit in the naughty corner.

Right.

Authentic gospel ministry is deliciously and transformingly wholesome. It concerns the authentic gospel of course (1 Thesslonians 1). But mainstream Martha Stewart fans would snub it, as would the editors of the most niche food or shelter magazines. It's just not pretty enough. It does not rely on effective technique or any display of human power.

(Jesus, who displayed more out-of-this-world power than any human in history, was not keen on making it the cornerstone of his ministry. He did not seem to think that healing and driving out demons were great evangelistic tools to draw the crowds (though they did in droves so he could not enter a town openly (Mark 1:45) or even eat (Mark 3:21)). Instead, he was far more concerned about preaching the gospel of God (Mark 1:39) - the fulfilment of Scripture (Mark 1:14), the repentance of sins and the good news that he had come as king (Mark 1:14, 2:17), the promised Son of Man who would have the authority of God to, inter alia, forgive sins and give real rest (Mark 2:9, 2:28) and usher in a new era (Mark 2:22ff).)

Paul arrived in Thessalonica beaten black and blue from his reception at Philippi. It would seem that both he and Silas still had the dust of shame of failure on their cloaks (1 Thessalonians 2:2) and could be sure of more of the same in Thessalonica. There was no triumphalism in their coming nor anything impressive about them as messengers. Boldness in continuing to preach the controversial gospel required more than human courage - it required the power of God and for us today it will always depend on the power of God (1 Thessalonians 2:2). For if the gospel belongs to God, then the courage to proclaim it will come from God as well.

Because it comes from God and is all about God, authentic gospel ministry also always seeks the approval of God(1 Thessalonians 2:4a). God is not hoodwinked by the doing of seemingly right things with impure motives for he knows and tests men's hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:4b).

And since it is God's gospel and depends on God's power and seeks the approval of God, then it would be smack-forehead silly to use deceptive methods to get people to believe in Jesus, no matter how desperate we are for the salvation of those we love. It would completely miss the point to flatter men or become the nice, tame religious person they would prefer, allegedly to win souls. Jesus, who wept over Jerusalem and died for the sins of the world, did not hesitate to alienate those of his hearers who were opposed to his gospel (not his personality) (Mark 3).

The authentic gospel, because it must have already transformed its messengers, is communicated with the love of God (1 Thessalonians 2:6-12). Like a nursing mother thoroughly committed to her child, Paul and Silas' whole lives revolved around sharing the gospel and their very beings with the Thessalonians without wanting anything in return and concerned not to burden them. Only God could have given a love that was/is not content with the mass spraying of the gospel but was/is eager for a long-term commitment to sharing lives. Like a father with his children, this love is keen to nurture: to come alongside, to put strength in and to demonstrate how to walk in a manner worthy of God.

Do we minister to each other depending on God's power (not relying on the latest sure-win-others-for-Christ technique), for God's approval (not to demonstrate to the Evangelist Idol panel that we are godly or effective workers for Christ), with God's love (not just human interest)?

Do we minister with the authentic word of God? For the authentic gospel carries authority of God, not of men. And it will work in authentic believers so that after they have accepted the objective truth of what has been proclaimed, they will have faith in God and in the message and turn to the living and true God and serve him, waiting for his son from heaven whom he raised from the dead who is coming oto save from coming wrath, and because of this hope, be prepared to suffer as Christ did and as church always has rather than deny truth of gospel or to desist from proclaiming it. (1 Thessalonians 2:13-16)

Are these very basic requirements part of our church leadership selection criteria?


Someone was demonstrating a guitar technique with this song yesterday and now its a earworm.

Everlasting God (Lincoln Brewster, popularised by Chris Tomlin)
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

It's just crying out for an 80s drum machine. Anyway, horrible paucity of lyrical substance made up by embarrassing riches of 1 Thessalonians 1-2, Mark 1-3 and Acts 10-12 (see the St. Helen's Bishopsgate series on The Advance of the Gospel). Yums.