#maywong

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Galatians 6 -MW

I was taught in Sunday school that we are to become more and more like Jesus, to trasform into His beauty, His likeness. It’s just impossible, doesn’t feel this can be accomplished by anyone in this earth, He is Jesus, God, it will take me forever to be like Him, this is mission impossible. Then when I read about Paul, ~wow~ This guy, he is just so determined and sure to follow Jesus all his life after what he experienced on the way to Damascus. I wish I can be like him at least 10%.

Next, I get to know this amazing dad (father in law) who does not grow weary of doing good to people. I dont know how he gets to have such big heart, always caring for those who seems to take advantage of him, shelter strangers that soon he calls them his son, giving food to somebody who is nobody soon be his friend, giving so much without the gaurentee of returning kindness to him. Who does that? I believe sometimes he feels disappointed, maybe feel like giving up too, but his action (so far) never show any sign of weariness. It is my privilige to be able to see his doing to others, and experience the goodness that he gave and is still giving.

It is hard to be Christ like. After seeing a real life person, my dad’s life, he make it even harder to be like Jesus. How am I able to do good to everyone? And especially to those who are of the household of faith. This is not easy. Why do we have to do this bible reading…arg… so struggling and yet so good to the soul.

Dear God, would you come and change my heart? It seems to be difficult to be like Jesus, would you come and mould me to be like you?

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Galations 5 - MW

Verse 2-6: …if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you…every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law, you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcised counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

“ at least he/she said the sinner’s prayer” I often hear this statement in a funeral or in a desperate need of situation whose family member has a cancer patient, or even a child that stray away from the gospel. We always hope that when they pray the sinner’s prayer, God would just melt down and welcome them into eternity. 

I used to believe in that fantasy world, just get my friends to church, get them say those lines, and boom, they are saved. 

Whether we said the sinner’s prayer or not, whether we are baptized or not, whether we give offering or not, whether we lift our hands and bow our heads or not, that doesn’t mean we can go to heaven. Only believing in Jesus and whatever you do, do it in the form of love unto God and people. 

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Galations 4 - MW

The word “adoption” in verse 5 gives me so much emotions in writing this.

verse 5: to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Caught in so much emotions because my sis and I were adopted. What I heard from my sis was we were seperated because she was too naughty and was influencing me to do bad stuff. So the family decided to let another family to adopt her instead.

To be adopted sounds negative, I used to think or feel rejected because my parents did not want me, I’m not good enough or whatever reason it is, it gives a negative perspective. In my sis case, she’s not a good girl, her behaviour was not pleasing to the family and she was “kicked out” from the family.

In christianity, it actually tells people that we are not good enough, “ You are a sinner” “ You need to repent, you need a Saviour” Yes, we are sinners and need God, we are not worthy, we are not the perfect lamb…

But if we repent…

God adopts us even we are still sinners, even we still lie sometimes, even we still curse when we are mad.

Verse 7: so you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Galations 3 -MW

I’ve been hearing lots of preacher talking about work and faith, law and grace sermon. Sometimes we hear it too many times we thought we understood it, we assume that we get it, do we really get it?

I personally just experience grace, like know know what’s grace is and I’m still amazed each time I consume and taste different parts of it. There is a certain relief after reading Galations 3 again. Relief we are not saved by work because we know there is no way we can match God’s standard. Relief to know that my flesh is evil and whatever right doing I do is grace given. Relief that I am truly free indeed that whatever I do for God is not by force of law.

This is not the freedom that the world seek, to do whatever we want to make us happy but rather it is the freedom of having God’s favour without working or earning for it.

- Once again I look upon the cross where you died I’m humbled by your mercy and I’m broken inside Once again I thank you Once again I pour out my life -

Thank you for the cross, Jesus

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Galations 2 - MW

Verse 11-14 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

After reading this verse, I can’t help but to applaude to Paul, such a man, so cool, so bold to stand for what is right, correcting his fellow friends…

But if I was his friend, the one that he is going to scold me infront of many…

And if there is a machine that can bring me back to this event once again, I’ll probably tell this to Paul “ hey man, can you please do whatever you need to do later, like when we are alone, give face a bit lah.” or “ hello, remember you kill many people so back off soldier.”

It is hard not to follow the big group or the popular ones, it’s just much easier to follow and not to get into unneccessary trouble. I find myself just like them, the “circumcision party” or the “hypocrite”

Knowing what is not right but at the moment just caught in the situation so call “what to do, no choice loh”

Oh God, help me to stand firm in what I believe, help me to have one personality, help me not to be afraid of the truth -help me-

[biblereadingchallenge2016]

Galations 1 - MW

“How do you know this is real? Maybe my god is the real one.”

My primary friend said this to me long time ago when I introduce Jesus to her. As a believer who grow up since young in church and this is my answer to her…

“ Well, come and taste and see, that’s nothing harmful by trying.”

No one knows how that question asked by my friend can open a door of doubfulness in my faith, even though I attended sunday school, many bible classes, memorising the scriptures…And my own answer to my friend lead me thinking too, that I never try other religion before so how do I know which is real?

Am I believing the One true God? Is the Gospel I learn from my family, heard in church since young, is it real?

Paul wrote this letter to the church of Galatia, in verse 6-9 he said that they have turn to a different gospel, and some who trouble and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

No matter what era we live in, truth and lies are always there. Jesus said in John 10:10 “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

I was once caught living in lies, thinking maybe Jesus is not the real one, just like the Galatia church. And I am thankful there are “Pauls” in my life that help me to hold on to this precious gospel -Jesus- And of course ultimately God is the one that keeps me and guide me through.

I pray that He will continue to show me His everlasting love upon me and pray that I’ll be “Paul” to someone, telling the gospel with such assurance “Yes, Jesus is real.”

[detournementsmineurs]

Anna May Wong (détail).