Our Competence Comes From God (2 Corinthians 3:4-6)

“Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:4-6)

A new year 2019 has just arrived! 2018 was the year of searching and seeking the truth and the mysteries of God, of Christ, and of our lives. Scripture study including readings and meditations and writings was the means to enter into the truth and revelations in the midst of tumultuous and troublesome lives. Still learning the truth and being corrected by the revelations constantly and making changes in mind and heart, trying to be recovered in Christ from many failures and mistakes, worries and anxieties. Experienced challenges and troubles every day and often failed to meet the needs. At the same time, experienced the presence of the Lord who is faithful and gracious as promised. The end of construction is, though not known, coming rather quickly like thief in the night as told. So, wait eagerly for the day of his coming. 

Getting to know and understand of the truth and the revelations is one thing and obeying the word and experiencing the power of the truth is another. Making efforts to search the truth is our duty to do all of our days on earth. In return, we will be knowing and understanding of the secrets and mysteries of our lives. Jesus Christ is the answer. Indeed, he is the ultimate teller and revealer of the deep things of God. The Scriptures are written for our understanding and strength and power. It is not easy to understand them though. So, many shrug off their shoulders and run from them. We need both the obligatory efforts and the inspirational revelations in seeking the truth of lives because the word of truth is God-breathed. Humble and total reliance on the Spirit of God is essentially necessary and required in searching and seeking of the truth. It is a life long journey. 

As I have a job to do, making time and space for searching is not something effortlessly found. Long commute hours for work have been a blessing time and space to get educated and disciplined in being constantly corrected and challenged by the thoughts and mind of Christ and God. Listening to the expository sermons over and over again until my mind and heart are stuck with the thoughts of the Scriptures, hoping for being molded and equipped with the mind of Christ more and more. It never comes into light without struggles to learn and understand. Trying to meditate the words that I pick up while listening plus reading the text for digestion. Furthermore, digging in to find out the answers which I struggle to see through the meanings and sayings of the Lord Christ Jesus. I read many different and various translations and think through in driving and the work out as well. 

Sharing lives with others is an important piece of learning process. Just get connected each other. There are always someone to share the lives together. Families, friends, neighbors, church people, and even strangers face to face, emails or text messages. Simply talking each other things trivial and ordinary, honestly telling what’s really happening in our lives, especially struggles and failures in the midst. On top of that, sharing the mind of God and Christ out of the Scriptures too, asking and answering questions each other and trying to be motivated to repent and change our minds according to what the Spirit says to our hearts. We all are one body of Christ. We are inherently connected and united each other in Christ though the relationships are invisible. 

Life is really complicated and complex. It is never easy to get along with others, even among families. It is sound and normal to agree to disagree each other. Accepting and embracing the different opinions and viewpoints is so important in maintaining loving relationships each other. Whatever that is if too dogmatic and assertive on certain matters in the Scriptures may cause to hurt or break the loving relationships. Rather, be patiently and kindly wait some time to get harmony each other. Who knows the Spirit may work it out for mutual agreement each other? Respect and be kind to others as the Lord is being patient with us.  

The study of Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, and Peter’s Epistles has blessed my heart and mind throughout the latter half of the year. The first half of the year was spent for recovering from an illness. The understanding of humility and submission which our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated has strengthened and empowered my soul and heart to follow the way despite of frequent failures and mistakes. Life is full of troubles no matter who and what and where, including Adam and every men and women throughout the centuries. No one can escape troubles and heartaches. No difference at all, religious or irreligious, rich or poor, white or non-white, young or old, noble or ignoble. Humility and submission are the secrets to life just as our Lord Jesus lived on the earth. He set the example how we might live righteously and victoriously while on earth. Though he was the Son of God, he remained humble and lowly to bring us to the Father even to the point of death according to the Scriptures.

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!

Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you,

righteous and victorious,

lowly and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9)

Will continue to search and seek the truth in the coming years and days. That is why I am here for. Keep on searching for the truth in Christ and God! Finding the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of all struggles and troubles. Obeying God as Christ the Lord obeyed the Father in all circumstance, as God says, “You shall be holy for I am holy.” I am going to fail to meet the needs for sure. Even that failures and missteps have already been forgiven and cleansed and washed away by the blood of Christ Jesus the Lord. Our confidence is not from the flesh whatever that is, education, experience, career, knowledge, understanding, race, age, title, or even devotions. What counts only is God who is all in all. We are called to be the ministers of the new covenant as his instruments. So, we keep on obeying him as Christ the Lord obeyed the Father even to the point of death. Jesus says, “The Son can do nothing by himself.” (John 5:19) Likewise, we can do nothing by ourselves no matter what and who. But we can do all things in Christ through whom we receive the power of resurrection. Worship God by giving ourselves as a living sacrifice to the Lord for that is the reasonable and true worship. Amen!

  January 8, 2019

© 2011-2019 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.

Truth endures forever (Psalm 1, Psalm 19, 2 Timothy 3:1-4:8)

Why should humanity pay attention to the Scriptures? Why should I diligently read, study and meditate them? Because what is seen is not all, but what is unseen is. And death is not the end. It is true that death swallows all. It is also true that there is resurrection after death as our Lord Jesus rose from the dead on the third day as the firstfruits. In fact, humanity is lost and fallen into darkness and blindness as victim of the malevolent devil, not knowing who they really are. There is a God who is so lovingly compassionate and merciful that he offers his hand for the lost and fallen. We have Scriptures preserved as means to learn and know who God is. Knowing God leads us to know who we are, what we are, and why we are. Not only the Scriptures given, but the universe for revelations and instructions. The world contaminated by the lie always opposes the truth which the Scriptures and the universe speak and teach. 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

The Righteous vs. the Wicked (Psalm 1)

“Blessed is the one

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take

or sit in the company of mockers,

but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,

and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither—

whatever they do prospers.

Not so the wicked!

They are like chaff

that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” (Psalm 1:1-6)

There are only two kinds of people, the righteous and the wicked. Unfortunately, there is no gray area, so we cannot belong to both but must be one of them. The righteous shall rejoice and delight in the law of the Lord, meditating his word day and night and produce its fruit in season like a tree planted by streams of water. Not so the wicked. They shall wither and be blown away like chaff. Furthermore, they shall not stand in the judgment of God, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” (Psalm 1:6)

The question is how to delight in the law of the Lord, meditating day and night. We’re living in a busy and demanding world where so much attractive and seductive things are going on. Earn money and enjoy life, says persistently the world. Come, eat and drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die. Sounds right and compelling. But that’s wrong! However, many succumb to the lie and philosophy of the world. Not so the righteous! Because they know it is not true. Their conscience tells that such a fatalistic saying is exactly opposite of what the Creator says.

So, they say “No” to the wrongs and then come to the law of the Lord and find delight and rejoice in him. They reject to walk in the step of the wicked, nor stand in the way that sinners take, nor sit in the company of mockers. It is a so significant step because otherwise it is impossible to delight in the law of the Lord. No man can serve two masters, God and mammon, says our Lord Jesus. It is so pertinently illustrated on a cross where the Lord Jesus was crucified for the sin of the world. No death, no resurrection. No sacrifice, no life. We first have to reject any wicked things and are drawn nearer to God in his holy of holies, being united and having the wonderful fellowship with him.

The Heavens and the Skies Speaks Loud (Psalm 19)

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is deprived of its warmth.

The law of the Lord is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

and all of them are righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the honeycomb.

By them your servant is warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

But who can discern their own errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:1-14)

Nothing exists without being made that has been made. Humanity is still groping in darkness, wanting to know what it is and why it is, the universe and man. It is still unknown and hidden to man, even though many kings and the wise have been trying hard to find out, even after all the scientific discoveries and technological advancements, It is a mystery which only God can reveal. The psalmist believes that the heavens and skies are made and put in their positions by his hand. The vast universe is running its course in order and harmony according to the will of the Maker. It doesn’t make sound but speak loud on the works of God. The sun stands still hundreds of thousands of years, relentlessly pouring out light energy and making the earth warm. It never and ever be out of course.

“It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.” (Psalm 19:6)

The psalmist says the sun is like a bridegroom and a champion which suggests the Lord Jesus Christ. So, the visible universe is the manifestation and illustration of the mind of God. He speaks through which he made. He is like the sun which never stops showering the warmth of love. Perfect is the law of the Lord. God made all things and pronounced good. God didn’t make the universe wonderful and beautiful for themselves but for the instructions and revelations of humanity. The immovability and unchangeability of nature gives man strength and joy to trust in him and eventually leads to the fear of the Lord and the knowledge of him. The law of the Lord enlightens, strengthens, and warns man to pay careful attention to the Creator. For he made man in his image and in his likeness. 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverb 1:7)

Follow the Way of the Lord To the Cross (2 Timothy 3:1-4:8)

This is truly the last days and ever nearer to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The lies and facades of humanity are rampant and ever increasing. People succumb to money and selfishness, bowing down to mammon, self-exaltation, polarity, exclusiveness, self-indulgence, and pleasures of the world, whereas the love of God grows cold. The false teachers infiltrate into the ranks of churches, shamefully and disgracefully deceiving and depraving the mind of man. But they will not get very far because their folly will be clear to everyone (2 Timothy 3:9). What shall we do in the last days? Apostle Paul charges his son in the faith, Timothy, to continue to follow the way of the Lord demonstrated in his life as well. That is, face persecutions and sufferings.

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15)

“Preach the word, be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction,” says Apostle. Time has come that people refuse to listen the sound doctrine, the message of the cross. Not only careful search and study and understanding of the word are required for the preacher, but great patience and careful instruction are. We’re called for the good fight, not a fight with flesh and blood, but the fight for the cause of Christ Jesus our Lord. 

September 6, 2018

© 2011-2018 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.