Take Up My Cross

This short story by Mark shows a beautiful truth. A leper - deemed unclean by society, so bad that anyone who has contact with him is also deemed unclean, comes up to Jesus with this statement of faith - "If you will, you can make me clean". Jesus responds to him saying He will - and this man goes away clean. Isn't it the same for all of us? If we go to Him with this faith, He will make us clean. A simple truth of the free gift of salvation. But many of us lack this faith. However, the story takes a twist subsequently. Jesus commands the man not to mention anything special about this incident, but the leper instead spreads Jesus's fame - preventing Him from going into towns to preach. We are not told what happens to the leper in the end, but from his story we also learn something else. Having the faith to come and be cleaned doesn't guarantee us that we'll live rightly before God forever, it is still a wilful act to obey Him. Let us not just have initial f...

This section brings out Jesus's purpose in coming into this world - to bring the good news to all people. He withdraws from the crowd that has given Him fame for all the wrong reasons, and suggests to disciples to move on - ending His healing miracles in that area, for He came to teach, and not to heal. We often misrepresent Jesus - be it as friend, counsellor, teacher, source of gain etc. What we miss out is that Jesus is God's chosen and only means of salvation - the most important thing. Pray that we will be reminded of Jesus's true purpose and not be caught up in His other roles.

This segment shows Jesus healing first Simon's mother in law, then all the sick and demon - possessed brought to Him. Lessons learnt: 1. We often consider celibacy a gift, a good thing. Some people even go to the extent to suggest that a spouse will distract us from serving Christ fully. Simon, having a mother in law, debunks that myth - if an apostle of Jesus could manage it, needless to say a spouse is not a hindrance in our service to God. 2. Jesus is LORD over all sickness - as He proves by healing the people. Again, He refuses to be acknowledged as Son of God, but nevertheless His authority is displayed by His actions. What other myths have we foolishly believed? How can a spouse be of benefit to bring both parties closer to God? What else is Jesus LORD over? Actually, Jesus is LORD over everyhing. Sickness is but an example which would help people understand the supernatural work of Christ best. As for a spouse, I once heard this statement made by some famous person i ...

This is the first account of a miracle by Jesus in the book of Mark. It occurs in Capernaum, where on the Sabbath, Jesus teaches in the synagogue and amazes the people because He teaches with authority. What exactly does it mean here? In the previous post, similarly I mentioned Jesus having authority. Here, what we should pick up is this - that Jesus teaches as one above the law - completing the law, instead of the scribes, who attempt to "understand" the law in making it ritualistic. Jesus himself is the fulfillment of all old testamental law, and his teaching is expository of that. So what is this revolutionary teaching that Jesus brings? Repent, and believe, for the kingdom of God is near. We've grown up hearing this many times already. Not so revolutionary to us, on this side of the Bible looking backward. To the Jews, however, who spent their lives hearing "Sacrifice this and that for this sin", and "Do this but not that", this is the ove...

This passage depicts Jesus's calling of His first disciples - Simon, Andrew, James and John. A few things here 1. Jesus's statement - Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men What does he mean? We know that work is God-ordained - being a fisherman is not idling, and is a way of fulfilling God's command. However, these fishermen fished for... well, fish. They sold / cooked / whatever! the fish for a living, without any greater purpose to it. Jesus offers them new purpose - to be fishers for God - to catch up men in repentance and belief in the gospel. A far greater ambition in life, no doubt, albeit by a unknown weirdo. More on this "unknown weirdo" later! Simon and Andrew were of course lured to Jesus, and they became His first disciples 2. The calling of James and John, sons of Zebedee. We notice that they had hired servants, their father and a boat - it would probably be safe to say they were quite well off. However, these two men left the...

Mark doesn't say much about John's arrest, except that Jesus begins His ministry after that. Jesus's message is simple, and is the key focus. The time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus is the fulfilment of all the old testamental prophecies. The world, since Genesis, has been waiting for this moment in history when a saviour would come - this is it, the wait is over. Repent and believe in the gospel. This is the very essence of the message we still preach today. Repent, and through Christ we are saved. The message has not changed since Jesus first brought it. The question is, what are we still waiting for? The gospel is here. Jesus is here. And soon the kingdom of God will be established over this world. Repent and believe, while we all can. Time is already fulfilled, the world is on a countdown to the end.

Immediately the Spirit drove Him out into the desert where he was tempted for 40 days. Why would God so such a thing? The best rationale i can think of is this - to give us a great high priest that sympathises with us. Jesus came as a man to engage the world - and by engaging the temptation to sin He achieves that as well. On the flipside, we also notice that angels attended to Jesus. Application We too, like Jesus, face temptations. We take comfort in these two things - that Jesus understands our trials, and that He does not forsake us to fend for ourselves.

This passage is another short one, though with a huge impact. These 3 verses narrate the baptism of Jesus. First key truth - In those days Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the Jordan. - Jesus himself was baptized. Previously we read that baptism was a mark of repentance. However, Jesus had nothing to repent of. So why be baptized? 1. As a example to the believers that repentance is the "way to go", and publicly declaring that His teaching is in accordance to John's. 2. As a act of obedience to the will of God. Second key truth - God the Father acknowledges God the Son. Mark tells us of the heavens being torn open and the voice that declares Jesus God's Son. This, again, is another affirmation of the identity of Christ - with supernatural evidence. The relationship here is clearly displayed - that God the Father loves God the Son, and God the Son obeyed the instructions of God the Father. Do we still keep doubts over the identity of Christ? ...

The passage opens with a statement of Christ's authority - the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Treating the Bible as the divine word of God, this has huge implications. Given the infallibility of the Bible, instantly we know that this Man is the Son of God, no less. Where this statement alone is blunt and offers no evidence, we remember that if we doubt the Bible here, then nothing in the Bible is trustworthy. The next section describes John appearing in the wilderness, and his role in preparing the way for Jesus. He is described to preach a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. Where it was not a new concept, people from all Israel were going out to him to get this baptism. So what makes John so special? 1. He has been ordained by God to prepare the way for Jesus - to bring about the message of repentance 2. He preaches of one greater than he is, who will baptise in the Holy Spirit. The doctrine of trinity, being a new testament "thi...

Today I want to take a little time to explore this topic. I've come across this article that brings out the shocking truth about ministry, and I found it really applicable to myself. A person involved heavily in ministry will either grow strong in Christ, or pretend to, becoming a false teacher and a hypocrite. A shocking revelation and a wake - up call to me. Within the past 3 months, I've made myself a part of many ministries, both in church and out. So what has happened? Have I really grown, or have I deceived myself? Some parts of my life are still the same. I remain short - tempered, I remain defiant of many things. At the same time, I feel that I've come to learn more about Christ.. So what am I? What are you?

Psalm 40 You are my help and my deliverer Introduction Psalm 40 is a testimonial Psalm written by David. Incidentally, the Psalms are often divided into 3 books, of which Psalm 40 is the last of book 1. On a side note, I'm going to stop here for a break.. Jumping to another book. Doing too many Psalms at one shot seems to desensitise me.. Summary v1-10 The LORD as deliverer v11-17 The LORD as helper The LORD as deliverer David opens the section proclaiming God's act to save him from the pit - a wilful act of love and grace we do not deserve. The next thing he notes is that the man who puts his trust in God is blessed. Compare it to the first statement, and we realise nothing is the work of human hands, but God blesse s us freely and brings us to him. The LORD as helper The key phrase here is this - may those who love your salvation always say "Great is the LORD!" It shows a willingness to praise God whatever the circumstance, rising in Him. How do we resp...

Psalm 39 -  The measure of my days Introduction Psalm 39 is written as a lament Psalm by David. David starts off the Psalm with a declaration of his commitment to stay silent in the face of the wicked. Possibly a reason for this is because he does not want to have any interaction with them, or perhaps they are twisting his words too much. However, in his silence, he says his plight gets worse. The next part is the kind of "emo" sounding part, where he asks God to let him know how long his days are and how he will die - in the hope that he will leave this world behind for a better place. He finally ends off with praise to God for His holiness and deliverance. How applicable is this today? Where God's holiness has not changed, how we relate to the wicked definitely has. Because of the coming of Jesus Christ, we wicked people have a chance to accept God's love and grace. As Jesus said, it is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick. No longer do we distin...

Psalm 38 Do not forsake me Introduction Psalm 38 is written by David as a lament Psalm, asking for God not to judge him harshly and to rescue him from his plight. David starts writing about his own weakness, his failure to succeed in life by himself. He speaks of his sorrow, his troubles without God. At the very end, he says the important things - the confession of his sin and his trust and pride in God. This leads up to him asking God not to forsake him. Do we similarly realise God's provision for us, and that without Him we will struggle badly? Do we confe ss our sin and trust in God? Does God ever forsake His chosen?

Psalm 37 But Introduction Psalm 37 is written as a testimonial Psalm to God's salvation for the righteous and judgement for the wicked. David often uses the word "but" (translated NIV) to bring out contrasts between the two - or to show the temporal nature of things compared to God's eternal will Summary v1-2 The wicked do not last v3-8 Instructions for righteous living v9-22 The wicked will be cut off v23-34 The righteous are never forsaken v35-36 The wicked's enjoyment is temporal v37-38 The future is set of the righteous v39-40 Praise The wicked do not last The first 2 verses of this Psalm are an encouragement to those oppressed by the wicked. Somehow the wicked are always portrayed to have a good standing now - and if we do look at our world today, it is unsurprising. We commonly see those who cheat and whatnot easily attain things like promotions, higher pays... But these things do not last - for like the grass they will soon wither. And not ...

PSALM 36 In your light do we see light Introduction Psalm 36 is a lament and worship psalm written by David. Summary v1-4 The wicked v5-12 The steadfast love of God The wicked David starts the psalm introducing the wicked, men who believe in themselves, believing their wicked acts will never be brought to light and be judged. They have no regard, no fear for God. The steadfast love of God The second half of this psalm is on the steadfast love of God, how He offers refuge to all who seek Him. It also counters the wicked, saying they will be judged. In your light do we see light We are told this - this world is living in darkness - there is no one who can understand good, no one who seeks good except by God's grace. Only through Him is all good possible. He illuminates our lives and guides us in paths of righteousness. Have we seen the light that we know what is good and evil by God's definitions? Do we scheme as the wicked or find refuge in God, walking in the ways...

Psalm 35 The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of His servant Introduction Psalm 35 is a lament Psalm written by David, where he spends the almost the entire Psalm asking for God to enact judgement on those who oppose him. Summary v1-10 In battle v11-26 In false witnesses v27-28 Praise In battle The first example David brings up is one of violence, of people who fight against him, who lay traps against him. He prays for God to rescue him and to destroy his enemies. In false witnesses The second example is on people who verbally attack David - by slander, by unreasonable questioning, by backstabbing him. He prays for God's vindication and for his enemies to be put to shame. Praise The final section is on praise - where David praises God for taking care of his well being. Now this is interesting. Should God, who already twice-over owns us (due to creation and redemption), have to care for our well being? Some people argue yes - a good master cares...

Psalm 34 The LORD is Deliverer Introduction Psalm 34 is written by David when he fled after lying to Abimelech that he was crazy. It is largely a testimonial Psalm, with some elements of wisdom. Somehow when i typed deliverer i was thinking of pizza delivery... Ohwell. Bad joke aside. Summary v1-3 Call to worship v4-7 God delivers v8-10 God's goodness v11-14 Learn the fear of the LORD v15-22 God delivers This poor man called, and the LORD heard him The use of the word "this" caught my attention. It makes the Psalm personal, because this man writing this now is poor too - not financially, but in spirit. It demonstrates God's faithfulness to all - be it poor or not, of any status - we are not serving a God who does not hear us. Taste and see that the LORD is good Although the Bible is the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and conduct, it recognises the authority of experience as well. Instead of simply telling us God is good, the Bible goes t...

Psalm 33 Sing joyfully to the LORD Introduction Psalm 33 is a worship Psalm written by David. Summary v1-3 Call to worship v4-9 God is worthy because of creation v10-22 God is worthy because He is our only hope in salvation and eternal life Call to worship David opens the Psalm calling the reader to sing joyfully to God, for it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. Naturally, a corrupt person will not praise God for God only has judgement reserved for him, but the upright should praise God because of His covenant with us. Why sing? As far as my knowledge goes, singing / musical worship is not a doctrinal "must". However, the act of worship and praise is best expressed in singing and musical worship - and God has already given us talent in having the capability to do so. Given this talent by God, it is only correct for us to return it to Him in this manner. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love Note the use of ...

Psalm 32 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven Introduction Psalm 32 is a wisdom Psalm written by David. He speaks of the blessing given to the man who has his sins forgiven by God, and also how he came to this forgiveness. Summary v1-2 Blessed is the man v3-4 Our state before v5 Confession of sin v6-10 Blessing for the forgiven v11 Praise Blessed is the man David starts the Psalm with the truth that the man whose sins are forgiven is blessed. We know he is blessed because of the new relationship he enjoys with God, and of course because on the last day he will be forgiven. However, in this Psalm, David also explores the blessing in this life. Later on! Our state before These 2 verses describe how we were before the confession of our sin - we wasted away and had no real life. There was no wanting for the things of God, no strength given to us for it. Then I acknowledged my sin to you... and you forgave the guilt of my sin This is, essentially, the only t...

Psalm 31 Set Apart Introduction Psalm 31 is written by David. It speaks a lot on praise, and how David has committed himself to God, and how he hopes for redemption and God's mercy. Summary v1-5 Commitment to God v6-18 Set apart v19-24 God's goodness Commitment to God David opens and closes this section with statements 1) In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge 2) Into your hands I commit my spirit More importantly, it is the second statement that stands out. What does David mean by committing his spirit into God's hands? The phrase "commit my spirit into Your hands" is a phrase often used in the last few days of a person's life - the confirmation of his faith in God, the final statement of his trust. However, this final affirmation shouldn't be taking us till the last day of our lives to make. Of course it sounds awkward to say a person's last words while we're still young and living pretty well. (Though we never know when we will go...

Psalm 30 For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime Introduction Psalm 30 is a worship Psalm written by David. It speaks of God's mercy, God's saving grace, and how David was forgiven by God. There is no breakdown of verses.. We often get the image that God in the OT is a wrathful God, and a forgiving God in the NT. This Psalm disproves that - showing God's forgiveness in David's life I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up We get the picture of God often being "above" - and David uses this imagery as well, hinting that God has drawn him up from somewhere... To be explained later! O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down the pit This is where David is from. The beauty of this line is shown in 2 things 1. All men go down the "pit", to Sheol (Heb for hell). All men are the same, we go down and condemn ourselves to death and judgement. 2. God re...

Psalm 29 Ascribe to the LORD glory Introduction Psalm 29 is a worship Psalm written by David. Summary v1-2 Ascribe to the LORD v3-9 The LORD's voice v10-11 Praise and call for help Ascribe to the LORD David starts the Psalm with this line repeated. He calls the heavenly bodies to ascribe to God the glory He deserves for His holiness . How much glory does God deserve? The LORD'S voice The next section speaks of the power contained in the LORD'S voice alone - its' power, majesty, and the things it can do - basically all things. David brings out examples of symbols of strength, like the trees of Lebanon being fell. He brings out the power over life and death in the example of the deer. Basically, God is all-powerful, and His voice alone is a manifestation of it. Do we undervalue God's power? Do we treat His Word lightly? The Bible is God's written word. Praise and call for help Again, this seems a formality in David's Psalms. Of course, we can ...

Recently wrote this. Here's the story of how God saved me. Specific names have been left out. I was born to a Christian family – to a pair of parents who were members of *my church*. We all know how faith isn’t inherited – no one is a Christian simply because his parents were. That was pretty much true for me for much of my early life. From the age of 5 when I arrived in Singapore, probably starting to go to church, all the way to the age of 18, I lived life my own way. I had minimal regard for God – He was there, yet He was, to me, a distant God who I went to church every Sunday to hear about, but not to learn about, not to understand, and definitely not to serve. However, God’s grace never went far from me – despite me not appreciating it until much later. By God’s grace, through these years my mom has brought both myself and my brother to church – regardless of how rebellious we were, how lazy we were. By grace I attended Sunday school almost every week in J2, taught by WL...

Psalm 28 Hear my call for mercy Introduction Psalm 28 is a lament Psalm written by David. Summary v1-2 Hear my call for mercy v3-5 Do not treat me as the wicked v6-9 The LORD's goodness Hear my call for mercy David prays for God to listen to him, or else he would be no different from those who "have gone down to the pit". What he means here is this - that God's elect, those who have chosen to seek Him, can come to God in prayer. David's special relationship with God is something we all have today because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Do we fully appreciate the freedom to "talk" to God, to pray? Do not treat me as the wicked Here David prays for God's preferential treatment - not to be dragged away with the wicked, but to repay the wicked for their deeds. He specifically speaks of the wicked as those who are two-faced - speaking cordially with their neighbors but harboring malice in their hearts. He expresses the promise...

Psalm 27 Introduction Psalm 27 is a testimonial Psalm written by David Summary v1-3 Who shall I fear? v4-6 The house of the LORD v7-12 Prayer for mercy - "Do not" v13-14 Confidence in God's grace in this life Whom shall I fear? David asks this question in light of the 2 statements he makes - The LORD is his light, his salvation and the stronghold of his life. He has full confidence in God to defend him from whatever enemies he has - because of God. What does it mean practically to have God as light, salvation and stronghold? One thing I ask of the LORD, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life This request is more than plainly staying in the house of the LORD. David goes on to expand it - to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD, to seek Him in His temple, to be safe in His dwelling, to be exalted over his enemies around Him, and to sing and make music to the LORD. Is this really our greatest desire, to dwell in the house of the LORD? ...

Psalm 26 Vindication for the righteous Introduction Psalm 26 is a lament Psalm - asking for God to be merciful to David on account of his blamelessness Summary Written in a ABA format. v1-8 The righteous man v9-10 The wicked described v11-12 The righteous man Vindicate me for I have led a blameless life What is a blameless life? A blameless life is righteous - and David gives explicit examples in many of his Psalms, including this one. I have trusted in the LORD without wavering This is faith perfected - that our trust in the LORD be made perfect, without the doubt that comes from the taint of sin. This is exactly what God wants of us. For your love is ever before me and I walk continually in your truth And this is the solution to sin - that God's love is ever before us. We note that God's love comes first in everything. He created, he initiated the salvation plan at the very same time when he condemned man and the serpent, etc. God's calling, His action...

Psalm 25 My hope is in you Introduction Psalm 25 is a lament psalm, written by David. Summary The whole passage speaks of the things God does for David, and the things David asks of God to do. Strangely David seems to switch between these two styles of writing every few lines.  To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul, in you I trust, O my God (Sidenote: the American official motto is "In God We Trust") David opens this passage with this declaration of his faith - that he trusts God - that he trusts that all these things will happen because God has promised it. No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame Here comes a rather tricky statement - where this statement is made in Psalms, we later read about the apostles of Jesus, even Jesus himself - put to death in humiliating situations - on the cross, public stoning... etc. So what does this statement really mean? We cannot be tied to the world's definition of shame - that we should consider...

I'm writing this - in some ways, wondering why this even happened. Yesterday I couldn't get anything out of the passage. I'll just write a bit on how badly my time was planned. At home, I didn't do my devotion. I left home for camp at 9:45pm. Took the endless MRT from end to end of Singapore, but didn't do any reading either, instead choosing to sleep. Reached camp at around midnight. Chatted with my friends for awhile, before finally getting ready to sleep around 1. Of course, as per my usual habit, I don't sleep when the rest do - that's my own time - for me to write. I did read Psalm 25, I did pray. But the one thing I didn't do was to really understand the passage, to ask of myself questions and applications from it - that's why there's no post, there's nothing up here. At 2, I gave up and went to sleep. I guess it's really poor time management - to be doing it so late that I can't fully concentrate... B...

Psalm 24 The LORD, the King of glory Introduction Psalm 24 is written as a worship Psalm by David Summary v1-2 God as Creator v3-6 Description of people who seek God v7-10 Welcoming the King of glory The earth is the LORD's for he founded it This statement is a fundamental gospel truth - if God did not create, then His ownership and lordship over us is called into question. As a creator - when we create objects, say, a handphone. We expect the handphone to serve its' purpose - to be able to make calls, send sms-es, and it exists solely for that purpose. How would we feel if you dialled a number, listened expecting to hear a ringtone, but instead the handphone tells you, "No thanks I'm not making any calls for you today!" We are that handphone - useless to God and to be thrown away - but God goes to extra extents to repair us in a way that we will never break down again. Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Those with clean hands, pure hearts, do n...