The Gospel According to Yeeks

This Christmas, I am ever so grateful that my hope rests not in my own ability to fight sin but in a Saviour who was born this very day in a very lowly manger and who will one day be put up on the Cross to redeem all. I have never thought much about the phrase "in sin and error pinning". The word "pinning" is derived from pin. Sin and error is pinned and fastened onto us so wretchedly. But in our weariness there lies our thrill of hope in the manger. Indeed we rejoice at this. The significance of this should never pass us by. Should never leave us unimpressed. God help us all.

What Leah wanted - Jacob's love When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, “Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” (Genesis 29:31-35) What Rachel wanted - Leah's children When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you...

“Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—only to go on doing all these abominations?" (Jeremiah 7:8-10)

"Well, I would say that if you don't believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you're really not in any meaningful sense a Christian." (Christopher Hitchens, 2009) Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ben-stevens/the-gospel-according-to-christopher_b_2231094.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/chief-of-sinners-1-timothy-1-16-and-galatians-1-15 Quite a piece of work by John Piper, indeed we can never thank God enough for the patience He has shown  to us, and may we extend that same patience to whoever we meet and encounter

A dear friend gave to me a copy of Richard Sibbes' "A Tender Heart". I never thought that I would one day be reading 16th century books but I did, and must commend the very good people at Banner for Truth for translating the archaic English into something readable. Though small, it is packed full of stuff just worth deliberating and meditating over. I will quote one of the tenets of the book, which Sibbes goes on to defend vigorously, that has really captured my thoughts for a few days: "Doctrine I: That God graciously fits prophets for persons, and his word to a people that are upright in their hearts. Where there is a true desire to know the will of God, there God will give men sincere prophets that shall answer them exactly" Now this is truly a remarkable idea that should never leave our heads. The God whose righteousness is beyond us and whom we cannot bear to stand in the presence of, would choose to speak to us should we incline our hearts to w...

Even Maacah, his mother, King Asa removed from being queen mother because she had made a detestable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image, crushed it, and burned it at the brook Kidron. But the high places were not taken out of Israel. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true all his days. (2 Chronicles 15:16-17) I think I first read this passage when I was around 16-17. The language of the text is extremely military and it can be easy to get caught up in the narrative and read it as if you were reading WWII history. The war against the idols were not fully triumphant. It was emphatic but not complete. The language can captivate, what is going to happen next in this war? How will this war turn out? And so I got caught up in the narrative, missing out on what the text is trying to tell me. That the incomplete battle against idolatry is taking place right in my heart.  If read in the light of the idolatry I have been struggling against, some for a very very lon...

Thanks to the previous lecture, I came to know about this sermon, preached by Rev. E. B. Pusey in direct refutation to Darwin's Origin of the Species. Still pouring over it, but lots of wisdom to be learned from reading the sermon. Interesting to note also some of the mentions of the prevalent scientific theories of that time, such as the existence of ether to transfer light (we now that light can travel through vacuum) . http://anglicanhistory.org/pusey/unscience.pdf

This is not anything Christian but I thought it was an interesting lecture, which charts interestingly, Darwin's slowly leaving of the faith.

"For we do not want you to be ignorant brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behald for the blessing granted to us through the prayers of many." (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)

Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky. "Verse 3 was penciled on the wall of a narrow room in an insane asylum by a man said to have been demented. The profound lines were discovered when they laid him in his coffin." http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/The_Love_of_God/

"It is when we are in the valley, where we prove whether we will be the choice ones, that most of us turn back. We are not quite prepared for the bumps and bruises that must come if we are going to be turned into the shape of the vision. We have seen what we are not, and what God wants us to be, but are we willing to be battered into the shape of the vision to be used by God?" http://utmost.org/the-vision-and-the-reality/

"The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (1 Timothy 1:5)

"Social media creates the temptation to talk about the moment, more than to savor the moment." http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/able-life

http://davidould.net/?p=4388 "In the preface to a new edition of my book “Battles Christians Face”, which features eights areas of struggle, including homosexuality, I write that, to a greater or lesser degree, I face them all myself. Close family and friends have known for a considerable time that I experience same sex attraction. None of the issues in the book define me. As a single man I am celibate, because I believe the Bible teaches that the right context for sex is only in marriage between a man and a woman." I have had the privilege of hearing this man preach before. He has written one of the best books that addresses what the whole Bible is about. In this article though, his courage in fighting sin is exemplary. Homosexuals are not the only ones committing sexual sin and I really admire his boldness.

Dear Heavenly Father, You who searches all hearts, Come to us this day according to your mercy, With either rod of discipline, Or gentleness of love. Shall we accept only riches and not poverty? Grant us hearts to receive. You render perfectly, Such that we have just enough that we may not steal, Nor have too much and forget your blessings. Who is like you O God? You thoroughly deserve all praise, glory and honour. Help us O Lord to recognize the privilege we have, All because of your Son Jesus Christ. Walk alongside us as we try to walk in your ways. Remind us that there is no condemnation when we fail, Remind us also that we who are free can no longer walk in sin. Help us to persevere. Send encouragement to your weary saints. In your precious Son Jesus Christ's name. We humbly pray.

This sermon was shared by a brother. It is a great listen and am putting it out here for anyone who is interested. http://tgc-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/keller_timothy/keller-1_corinthians_01.18_election_wts_1992.mp3

Covetousness Fernand: Make love to me. Mercedes: Will you ever give up? Fernand: He doesn't have to know. Mercedes: I'd know. Fernand: So would I. It'd be our little secret. Mercedes: I don't believe in secrets. Fernand: You think Edmond doesn't have secrets? He does. Ask him. Mercedes: I know what you want, Fernand. Fernand: You do? Mercedes: Remember when we were little kids and Edmond got that whistle for his birthday and you got a pony? Well, you were so mad that Edmond was happier with his whistle than you were with your pony. And I'm not going to be your next...whistle. Faithful Dorleac: And if you're thinking just now 'Why me, oh God?' the answer is: God has nothing to do with it. In fact, God is never in France this time of year. Edmond: God has everything to do with it. He's everywhere. He sees everything. Dorleac: Alright. Let's make a bargain, shall we? You ask God for help and I'll stop the moment he shows up....

During my mum's visit, she showed me this photo of her as a kid which I scanned immediately into my computer for fear of losing the one and only copy we have of it. This must have been 1960 or thereabouts judging from my mum's age in that photo. The man in the photo is my maternal grandfather. I didn't have much of a relationship with him unfortunately and most of what I know about him are from my mother's accounts. But taking a long hard look at the picture, there was no way that they could have pictured what would come after. They have zero clue who my mum was going to marry, they had zero clue that I was to be the firstborn. But God does. Right at the moment the photo was taken He knows what is going to happen. On Monday I had a dinner with a former elder of the church. Somehow this former elder and this man in the photo is going to create and be a part of a tapestry wounded by God. It is startling as I look at the faces in the photo and they are non the...

1. God is entirely sovereign over suffering. We fall into the crime of feeling shameful about what God is doing and a need to excuse God so to speak. Where we almost feel a need to account for his actions. Part of believing in a sovereign God involves believing that He is sovereign over suffering. 2. There are different sorts of suffering - General Suffering, Persecution, Discipline, Suffering as a result of seeing the world through God's eyes. 3. General suffering is the result of living in a fallen world. Whether a person is more sinful or more holy doesn't cause him or her to experience more or less suffering. This much must be clear. We fall into the trap of linking specific suffering to sinful actions. It goes against the very idea of grace. 4. Persecution is the suffering experienced precisely because we follow Christ. We share in Christ sufferings and we should expect suffering as a result of following Christ. 5. Discipline is experiences God's loving hand b...

Today I had the privilege of sharing the gospel with a friend from university. I have detected changes within myself in how I shared the news. There's a gentleness that now exists whereas when I was younger, I was more interested in proving that I am right. I can only say that this is indeed Christ's work in me and I thank Him for it. I thank God that haughtiness and pride and arrogance had very minimal part to play. What exists was genuine concern of another person's soul. “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:15b)

Suffering Well by Paul Grimmond

http://andynaselli.com/john-frames-advice-30-suggestions-for-theological-students-and-young-theologians

This song was played during a video tribute to the past year of God's faithfulness to our church. The lyrics and trigger-happy use of the autotune caused quite a laugh in the sanctuary. Perhaps it might be wise to ponder a bit exactly what does it mean to be a soldier in the army of the Lord. The use of the word soldier will no doubt stroke the flames of warfare within our hearts. I would caution against thinking of launching a crusade and war against non-Christians. Too many men have made that mistake in the past. A soldier of the Lord in simply this: "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." Rather than pursuing God's enemies, the soldier of Christ pursues God. He abandons the pleasures this world has to offer and bids them dead to him. His goal is to lead a life unstained by the worldliness that surrounds. It is crucially important that...

Holy Lord, I have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, of failure to find Thy mind in Thy Word, of neglect to seek Thee in my daily life. My transgressions and short-comings present me with a list of accusations, but I bless Thee that they will not stand against me, for all have been laid on Christ. Go on to subdue my corruptions, and grant me grace to live above them. Let not the passions of the flesh nor lustings of the mind bring my spirit into subjection, but do Thou rule over me in liberty and power. I thank Thee that many of my prayers have been refused. I have asked amiss and do not have, I have prayed from lusts and been rejected, I have longed for Egypt and been given a wilderness. Go on with Thy patient work, answering 'no' to my wrongful prayers, and fitting me to accept it. Purge me from every false desire, every base aspiration, everything contrary to Thy rule. I thank Thee for Thy wisdom and Thy love, for all the acts of discipline...

I want to start today’s workshop by challenging us to rethink about what does Bible reading mean for us. I hope that after today you will gain some new perspectives about Bible reading that maybe you have not thought about before. Usually when we think about Bible reading, we associate it with this thing that we call quiet time. It is this time that we set aside either in the morning before we start our day or in the evening before we go to bed. Now quiet time is good. What happens though when we fail to do quiet time? A lot of times we feel guilty about not coming before the word of God. Today, I want you to get that picture out of your head. If indeed you are saved by grace alone, your acceptance is not dependent on how religiously you read the Bible. Your acceptance is derived solely on what Christ has done for the Cross of you. He has died for your sins, including your failure at coming forth to His word. These are all atoned for on the Cross and grace has abound where si...

Really enjoyed this article from Relevant Magazine. I must confess that I too have taken Jeremiah 29:11 out of context as well. It really goes to show that there is so much unlearning that I need to do. http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/deeper-walk/features/21141-the-most-misused-verse-in-the-bible#disqus_thread

Perhaps we are not so much interested in God but in God's ability. Not so much in what He does for us, but what He can do for us. Not so much in what His kingdom, but building our Kingdom. Pray for this to be weeded out of me. Too often, I wonder what is His plan for me, not realizing that I am already in His plan. The plan of being foreknown, predestined, called, justified and my eventual revelation as a son of God. I look forward to that day and my desire is for that day to arrive tomorrow if possible. Till then, use this life as you wish dear Father.

He leadeth me, O blessed thought! O words with heav’nly comfort fraught! Whate’er I do, where’er I be Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me. Refrain:  He leadeth me, He leadeth me,  By His own hand He leadeth me;  His faithful foll’wer I would be,  For by His hand He leadeth me.  Sometimes ’mid scenes of deepest gloom, Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom, By waters still, o’er troubled sea, Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me. Lord, I would place my hand in Thine, Nor ever murmur nor repine; Content, whatever lot I see, Since ’tis my God that leadeth me. And when my task on earth is done, When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won, E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee, Since God through Jordan leadeth me.

Through various people and means, God is seemingly changing my perceptions about what a church should be as well as what it would mean for me to be part of a body of Christ. "Now the numbers of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common." (Acts 4:32) While it may seem extremely difficult to apply something like that in the modern city we live in, I am beginning to think that maybe it need not be so. A few rethinks is necessary. Radical Ecclesiology means everyone being aware and united under Christ with Him as the head, acknowledging what He has done for each and everyone of us.  Radical Ecclesiology recognizes that it is He who has brought us together under His word. Radical Ecclesiology means fighting sin together . We should NOT be devoid of care and concern when someone sins. It is our sin, and not the individual's alone. We bear the sins together. ...

"There is always a tremendous battle before sanctification is realized— something within us pushing with resentment against the demands of Christ." -Oswald Chambers-

It is unbelievable how difficult this is. It drives me to agony. I have not known an anxiety like this. There is no peace and solitude. There are days when I just don't want to get out of bed. If I'd just stay here and sleep, nothing can possibly go wrong. Friends try to send me words of comfort. I thank their sincerity. I want to be comforted. I want to be freed and I want to live with peace. I really wish what they did helped because I want it to help. I am so angry at myself for my inability to change and respond to their kind words. I already know how the Psalm goes. You really don't have to repeat it.  The road of obedience is so hard. Who can ever actually say that they can deny the passions of their heart so perfectly? Surely that man would have the right to cast the first stone. I am ripped apart by my own imperfections. I loathe this heart. The uncomfortable reality that really I have no good apart from You drives me to the ground where I might as well retu...

Resolved, to never let grace cease to be amazing Resolved, amidst all the pain and suffering I experience, to recount the glorious words of Genesis: "And God saw that it was good." Resolved, in moments of doubt and despair, to recognize God's predestination of the elect

Predestined by the Father, Atoned by the Son, Regenerated by the Spirit The glorious work of the Trinity, may we never lose sight of its beauty.

The much hyped about Facebook IPO turned out to be a huge embarrassment when the price slid well below its IPO price. The IPO price of $38 per share values Facebook as a company at $104billion. In 2007, Microsoft made a $15billion bid for Facebook. If we believe in the power of averages, that makes Facebook worth around half of what the IPO said it was. Even at that sort of price, it is tremendously suspicious. How did people decide that a social network which originally started as people sharing their lives is worth $104billion? This puts it way above a lot of firms that do manufacturing and services. Once conclusion we can draw is that, actually, maybe people don't really think that it is worth $104billion but is buying it so that they can sell it to some fool who thinks it could be worth more, in which case this is just plain greed. The other conclusion we can draw is that we are just terrible at valuing things - a disease evident in how we value Jesus Christ hence Chr...

Sometime ago, on 18th April, it was made known to me how much taxes I needed to pay for the year. It was a first for me. It marks another step towards growing up that I guess have to come to terms with. Last year I attended more weddings, more funerals and more baby showers than I have ever done in my entire life. Receiving that tax amount seemed like another milestone in this journey of life. My first thought when I received it was to crack a little joke in my own head (“Guess this means I now possess the right to act like a jerk and complain about everything under the sun”). You may laugh but if you have lived in this world long enough, you would be forgiven for thinking that the purpose of a tax bill is the entitlement to complain, and less about paying one’s dues. That tax bill also brought to mind those peculiar verses in the Bible that Christians should be familiar with: And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to...

I asked the Lord that I might grow, In faith and love and every grace, Might more of His salvation know, And seek more earnestly His face. It was He who taught me thus to pray, And He I trust has answered prayer. But it has been in such a way, As almost drove me to despair. I hoped that in some favored hour, At once He'd answer my request. And by His love's constraining power, Subdue my sins and give me rest. Instead of this, He made me feel, The hidden evils of my heart. And let the angry powers of hell, Assault my soul in every part. Yes, more with His own hand, He seemed, Intent to aggravate my woe. Crossed all the fair designs I schemed, Blasted my gourds, and laid me low. "Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried. Will You pursue Your worm to death?" "This is the way" the Lord replied, "I answer prayer for grace and strength." "These inward trials I employ, From self, and pride, to set you free; And ...

One aspect of ministry that perhaps never get emphasized more is how mutual encouragement takes place. I have taken on the task to disciple a few younger ones, hoping to encourage them and impart whatever I have that great and faithful men have taught me. But it is a two way thing. Every time you do it, the party you are reaching to helps you as well. You do get encouraged by the person's faith. It is not for nothing that Paul says: "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you - that is we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." (Romans 1:11-12)

The Lord has brought into my life two very different people but two who remarkably share similar struggles as I have. One has a background that is so similar that I am rejoiced so greatly that God has brought him into my life. We don't interact much. We were former lab partners back when I was studying Chemical Engineering in uni. Then for a brief moment after graduation we worked for the same company and then he left to another firm while I stayed. Today we met again at a friends wedding and we shared some stuff that were so deep and realized that we had so much in common. I thank God for who he has brought in. Another is a guy from church, who remarkably walking in some of the paths I have walked before. I hope God will guide me in sharing some of the things that I have went through with him. Praise God for these men that he has brought into my life.

I am at the crossroads ... Your faithfulness will be there whatever happens

The sending off made me think about a lot of things. Especially when I said my own farewells. I thought about the time I left ten years ago. It was a time of growing up and as I've told people countless of times, His faithfulness was great indeed - beyond what I had ever imagined.  Its my prayer that you will experience the same - in His own way, in a way that will stick with you my brother.  Take care over there.

Chanced upon this youtube and have compiled them into a playlist for easy viewing. After watching the video, am totally humbled and amazed by Luther's courage. The gospel truths that he was willing to stand up for. Praise God for using such an individual.   The rest of the documentary can be found here:  http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3EA3E9EFC1543AF8

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

The first rebuttal Christ offered when tempted by the devil: “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God .’”