Tag: monthly theme

2016

Declaring His SELF-EMPTYING PASSION, exalting Jesus

In the beginning, God was there. Before light filled the darkness; before the sun, moon, and stars filled the skies; before trees filled the land and creatures filled the seas—before any and everything ever was—God was already there, seated on His throne.

Then He, who in the beginning was there, came here.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14a)

Jesus Christ—the Alpha and Omega, the Mighty One, the King of kings, the Ruler of all—left all of heaven’s comforts, majesty, and glory; emptied Himself and made Himself nothing. Meaning:

He took the likeness of a man. Imagine the power of a God whose mere words shake the nations; imagine the vastness of a God for whom the earth is but a footstool; imagine the boundlessness of a God who is always present, who is everywhere. Imagine such a God… in the body of a baby: a little, helpless baby. He who is God became man; He who is invincible became subject to hunger and tiredness and pain. For what reason? That through Him, we, human beings, would have a way to the Father; that we, mere human beings, would become children of God (John 1:12)

He lived the life of a servant. It would be easy to think of the incarnate Jesus Christ in kingly robes, with a throng of slaves following His every move. After all, He was doing the Father and all of humankind a favor. Yet, when Jesus came, He came in all humility and lowliness: in a bed of straw, among cows and their dungs; lived a simple life, even among the poor and sick and outcast. Why? Because He came, not just to become man, but to be the servant of men (Mark 10:45).

He walked the way of the Cross. In His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ blessed the needy, healed the sick, and touched the lepers. But the height of His service can be seen when He received the insults, scorn, and judgment of the very people He was saving; when He surrendered His body to the cruel whips and lashes and blows of Roman soldiers; and when He trod each step to the atrocities of the Cross, to His death. Think about that, the Giver of Life—Life Himself—died, so that all of us, humans, might have life (John 10:10).

In sum, God’s self-emptying is this: Jesus Christ forsook His deity, His kingship, His life—all because He, in His great love, could not forsake us.

2016

DECLARING HIS ABOUNDING PROVISIONS, EXALTING JESUS

With the never-ending list of needs and the ever-growing price of goods, plus the barely increasing salaries and the likely diminishing sources of income, we sure experience shortage—of money, food, water, even of sleep, health, sanitation, and safety—whether we be unemployed, employees, or employers.

But these endless, countless shortages ‘fall short’ when we set them against a sixteen-word sentence found in Philippians 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

As simple as that, and all our worries dissolve. Why? Because these sixteen words had been etched to our hearts—more through experience than through memorization.

Abraham sure would agree on that. He experienced it foremost, and most palpably. In fact, it is in his chapter that God introduced Himself as the Great Provider:

“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its thorns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’” (Genesis 22:13-14, emphasis added)

Based on Abraham’s experience, we can learn that:

God’s provisions abound in times of need. With his son, Isaac, bound and laid atop the altar, and with the knife already in his own hands, Abraham was a man who was in dire need—of an interruption, a substitute, a miracle, or all three. Because, simply, he needed Isaac. Alive. Then, just at that very moment, a voice called, “Do not lay a hand on the boy.” Abraham must have sighed deeply. Help has come.

God’s provisions abound in times of impossibility. But still, a sacrifice had to be made. But who? Or what? They were up on the mountain and there was no one besides them. Then, “Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its thorns.” He need not search, need not sweat. A sacrifice had been delivered right into his hands.

God’s provisions abound in times of obedience. Abraham only wanted Isaac alive. He got that, yes. But he also got much, much more: “…because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.” Simply because he obeyed God’s command.

What is it that you need today? Payment for your children’s tuition fee? For the electric bill and water bill and internet bill? For the house loan and car loan and salary loan? Or do you need rest from a stressful workplace? Peace from a troubled home? Healing from a terminal disease?

As God did to Abraham, He will provide for you—no matter how hopeless or impossible the situation may seem to you. Just do not forget the four-word key to unlock the sixteen-word promise.

OBEY.

2015

Jehovah M’Kaddesh, the Lord who Sanctifies

C-L-E-A-N. You may not understand this string of letters, but the Great Judge pronounces you as such—if only you will believe in His love… if only you will seek His forgiveness… if only you will surrender your life to Him.

Then you will understand. YOU. ARE. CLEAN.

Regardless of who you were and who you have become. Because the blood of Jehovah M’Kaddesh can wipe away every stain, every filth, every imperfection, every sin.

So plunge deep into His sanctifying blood and be… clean.

2015

Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts

Jehovah Sabaoth. He afflicted Egypt with the severest of plagues to free the Israelites from miserable slavery… armed little David with a giant courage to slay mocking Goliath… and held the sun still to warrant Joshua’s victory against Canaan.

Jehovah Sabaoth. He beat the Pharisees with silence… defeated sin with His blood… and slayed death with His life.

Jehovah Sabaoth. He can grant you that most sought-after promotion… revive that failing business… prevail over that disease… and rebuild that waning relationship.

JEHOVAH SABAOTH. His was the voice that boomeranged into the empty universe, ‘Let there be’ and there was. And His is the same voice that whispers into your ear this very moment, ‘I care for you.’

Won’t you allow His mighty arms to lift you up from that dark pit you are in?

2015

JEHOVAH RAPHA, THE LORD WHO HEALS

If there was someone whom the general public disdained, it was him. He was, for them, a sinner beyond forgiveness—a money-whore. So everyone was shocked when, amongst the throng of crowd, he was singled out and told, “I must stay at your house today.” What was more shocking was the event that ensued: “Today salvation has come to this house…”

The bleeding woman… the grieving mother… and the corrupt Zacchaeus. They were all sick: one with a terminal disease, the other with bereavement, and the last with sin. Everyone thought that theirs was a hopeless case—until Someone came.

JEHOVAH RAPHA, the Lord who heals.

He who heals the gravest of diseases, the deepest of heartaches and, even, the vilest of sinners—not just because He can but, also, because He cares.

So believe in His power and His love so that, like them, you, too, will receive the healing that you need.

2015

Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness

Through Him we are sanctified. From sinner to saint, not only are our sins forgiven, but our records wiped clean—from charcoal black to pristine white. Because His blood does not merely cover, but washes our sins away.

Through Him we are accepted. Instead of being doomed for death and eternal punishment, we are now welcomed into His kingdom—as His sons and daughters. Because with arms wide open, He was hung on the most horrible cross, to His scorn and shame.

JEHOVAH TSIDKENU.

He did not merely call us from darkness to light, He also transformed us from filthy to pure—even promoted us from beggars to eternal heirs!

And for what purpose?

That we may have the right to be called a chosen generation… a royal priesthood… a holy nation… a people belonging to God.

JEHOVAH TSIDKENU. The God who is not only righteous, but is also OUR righteousness.

2015

Jireh, the Lord Who Provides

Be it food, clothes, payment for loans or hospital bills – whatever material blessings you may need – ask Him. He can. For He only can give.

And yet, it is not a matter of what we have, but how we see what we have. Ask Him to let you see the glass half-full. For He only can give joy beyond material wealth.

So that, finally, when we receive from Him, we treat those as blessings to be shared, not possessions to be amassed. For He only gives… so that we, too, can give.

Come to Jireh today, with full assurance that you will be filled – with enough to keep and more than enough to share.

2015

El Elyon, the Lord Who Owns

Imagine that father as THE EL ELYON GOD—the Lord Who Owns—who says:

Who cares if you’ve fallen into sin again… if you’ve run so far away from me? Didn’t I come to seek and save the lost? And didn’t I already bear every sin there is when I was crucified on the Cross?

Yes the world is unsafe and the enemy is prowling about waiting for someone to devour. But didn’t I say ‘Fear not for I am with you’? Didn’t I say that I rule over the world… that I have overcome it?

And I haven’t forgotten the sicknesses that taint this world—plus the poverty, the corruption, the rejections, the failures. But didn’t I receive whips and lashes that you might be healed? Didn’t I become poor so that you may be rich? Didn’t I receive scorn and rejection that you may be accepted?

All these, I did, because YOU ARE MINE. It is I who formed you in your mother’s womb, not the enemy who pushes you to sin, puts you to danger, and prevents you from having a full life. It is I who created you, so I will do everything for you, for you are mine.

So run to El Elyon as a boy does to his father. And when you finally feel His arms around you, maybe all you could say is, “This, here, is home.”

2015

Raah, the Lord our Shepherd

If you are suffering from an interminable disease and the doctor says nothing can be done, if your heart is broken and you cannot find the strength to even smile, or if your spirit is crushed and you have lost all the will to live—then believe that He is Raah… that He will restore you, body, mind and soul.>

If you are moving to a territory where everything and everyone is unfamiliar, if you are given a responsibility that you feel is too heavy to bear, or if you feel that your world is falling apart—then believe that He is Raah… that He will walk with you even through the valley of the shadow of death.

Whatever your circumstances may be, come to Him. For He is Raah, the Good Shepherd who, in love, laid down His life for you. And with Him, you shall never be in want.

2015

Elohim, the God Who Creates

Elohim. The God who can restore healing to your bruised body… peace to your troubled mind… joy to your wearied heart… hope to your darkened spirit… and life to your deadened soul.

ELOHIM. He is the God who creates something out of nothing… transforms a messed up life into a testimony… and restores the broken to its original condition.

Allow Him to speak the words to your life – to be Elohim to you – and it will be.