Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things"
2Ti 2:7.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

That righteousness which is through the faith of Christ

That righteousness which is through the faith of Christ

I met this sweet girl in a village in Katangawan. 
Her name is Frebe Joy... so cheerful. 10 years old. 
Walks a few miles to get to school. Speak fluent English. 
When asked, 'Will you be my daughter,' she shied away.
Phi 3: 9 ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that [righteousness] which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Righteousness needed for man's justification before God is either:
- by his own righteousness through his obedience of the law, or
- by Christ's righteousness through His faithfulness in obeying the same ...law.

Righteousness, the obedience to the law, is prerequisite for the justification of life. Sin, the transgression of the law, is the cause of the condemnation of death.

Ro 5:18 "Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation [of death]; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."

The plain truth stated by Paul is:
Sin of Adam >>> condemnation of death.
Righteousness of Christ >>> justification of life.

Very many smooth preachers teach you this LIE:
Your faith in Christ >>> justification of life.

The righteousness which is through the faithfulness of Christ in obeying the law is of God's provision for His people. And this righteousness provided FREELY by God for His people can be experienced by faith alone in Jesus Christ. 

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The Lord provides!

 
 
The Lord provides! 
"Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it."

Harvested these from the Lord's garden across the road just now.
Rambutans, custard apples, lemons, guavas, star fruits!

All organically grown. Healthy, refreshing, and wallet preserving!

Behaving color blindly is suicidal! Beware.

 Behaving color blindly is suicidal! Beware.

Traffic lights is a common feature in modern life. Distinguishing its distinct colors and knowing their corresponding meaning are absolutely essential to avoid accidents, and fatalities! Rightly dividing its distinct colors and their specific messages, and strictly adhering to them is essential to the safety and well being of all road users! People who fail to do so will cause fatal injuries to themselves, as well as others.

It is foolishness to be willfully color blind, i.e. denying the distinct colors and their messages. It is positively harmful and injurious!

EVEN SO...

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2Tim 2)
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1Tim 4)

Failing to rightly divide the word of truth will not only bring SHAME to the workman, but also destruction to both himself and his flock.

Get the message? If not, try ignoring the colors of the traffic light... and just pretend... 'ah light is light, whatever color it may be, it is light still.'

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

June 11s and 24 years between them!

June 11s and 24 years between them!




Newly wed: sing and his sweet bride on June 11, 1988

On June 11 1988 Alice and I were united as husband and wife.
And the Lord made June 11 2012, 24 years later, a special day - an anniversary with a difference!
All this with thanks to the saints whom we were blessed to meet and fellowship at General Santos City.

On June 11 2012, Alice and I woke up before 3am in time to catch a 3.30am coach for Davao. The bumpy journey took about 3 hrs. A little before 5am, the sky began to dawn, and we caught glimpses of the glorious sunrise as the coach meandered along the coastal 'highway' to Davao. We arrived at the coach terminal at 6.30am and took a taxi to the Airport. We avoided the many noisy hustlers but marched right up to the first taxi in the long queue, and said firmly, 'Sir, airport please. I'll pay 170 pesos.'  The driver was pleased with us that we had chosen to take the first taxi in the queue. (The opposite journey from the Airport on the busy Saturday late morning cost 190 pesos). He agreed gladly, and we were at the airport by 7am.

It was cold inside the aircon airport in the early morning! We found a warm place and enjoyed the 'anniversary breakfast' that our host Brother Arnie and Sister Ruth had packed for us - McD's chicken & rice, tuna sandwiches and cucumbers!

The plane left for Manila on time. After the 2hrs flight we arrived NAIA at 12 noon.  The flight to KL was scheduled at 2.10pm. We went walking around in the airport, needing to do some exercise. Then Alice asked, 'Darling, what day is today?' 'It's Monday I think,' I replied groggily - not having enough sleep for the last three nights.  Then I suddenly remembered, 'O, it's our anniversary. Let's celebrate!' After scouting round the eating outlets a bit, Alice decided having our lunch at Kenny Rogers Roasters - our first time ever! She ordered a plate of chicken (2 pieces) & rice and a fruit yogurt - 300 pesos ($7.50).  We enjoyed it together with the remaining cucumber from breakfast. After the great 'anniversary lunch' we went walking around again. The waist is a terrible thing to mind... and Alice keeps reminding me that sitting will make it worse, and there was a lot more sitting later on! We saw another outlet where a plate of chicken (2 similar pieces) & rice that costs only 130 pesos... the explanation for the great difference is KRR is American and this outlet is local brand! I was tempted to eat another round but was persuaded to do more walking and window shopping and speaking to shop attendants.

The flight for KL left at 2.10pm and it was another 4 hrs of bottom numbing journey! There was a great compensation: there was a vacant seat beside us so Alice could lie down and sleep on my lap most of the way!  By the time we checked out it was around 6.30pm. The flight to Penang was at 10.10pm. So, we went walking around again to nurse my numbed bottom. We looked for the red wine needed for communion in the duty free shop - found none that suit the need. We bought some chocolate for the children. Alice look around for our 'anniversary dinner' and decided at eat at Marybrown - our first time too. We nearly always eat at the best restaurant - i.e. Mama-Alice Home Restaurant.  I made one specific request, 'One BIG tub of coleslaw please.' She ordered 6 pieces of chicken, two fish fillets, a fries and TWO biggest tubs of coleslaw for both of us - RM40 ($13.50) including VAT! We enjoyed our coleslaw and 3 pieces of chicken between us, kept 3 for the children! I could do with another 2 tubs of those coleslaw easily! It was a great 'anniversary dinner' with my most wonderful wife!

The flight for Penang left on time at 10pm. Josiah was already waiting for us at the airport. We reached home at 11.30pm.  The Lord has blessed this June 11 as a wonderful day for both of us! He planned it that way!

Blessed be the Lord our God for all His rich mercies and goodness to His children.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Commercial exploitation... of the vain rages on!

Commercial exploitation... of the vain rages on!
 
One evening two weeks ago we were invited out for dinner at a Korean restaurant. While waiting for the host to arrive, we looked at the nearby shops. We entered a bridal shop and observed some of the fascinating products on display. We saw several wedding photography packages.

A 'Gold' package cost RM8888, a 'Platinum' package costs RM9888, with
...the fancy looking albums and photos in them. These photographic packages will give the bridal couples opportunity to have the fancy poses in the various whimsical backdrops... What I saw reminded me of something 24 years ago.

I remember spending no more than RM80 for all my wedding photographs expenses - a few rolls of Kodak films and all the developing and printing! A kind friend was the photographer (Kenneth Chin)

We conserved the little money we had for better use in the days ahead of us!!! We were going to raise a family, needing a home, etc.

And bless the Lord we are still happily married, with 4 children!
— with Josiah Lau and 3 others.