The Mystery Rolled Back

 

 

As I meditated upon how the apostle Paul said, “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55, NIV), I am being reminded of how the glory of God conquered over the sin of death that has been released from captivity as one triumphs in victory over sin of darkness like how the apostle Mark said, “that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away” (Mark 16:4b, NIV). Indeed, Jesus declared that He was the resurrection and the life when He called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” seeing how Lazarus has been awakened up from his death at the minute when Jesus resurrected him from his deep sleep (John 11:43, NIV).

Truly, someone said, “Death is the great enigma of life” that’s the one secret of the universe which is kept, the silence that could never be broken as he mentioned his point inside the Every Day Light online devotional text. By this, I read how death is a mystery – “the undiscovered country from which no traveller returns” before came the first Easter Day, and the stone was rolled away and. one Traveller did return for death to be no longer but a tunnel with light at the farther end.  Indeed, the hymnist said, “Tis death is dead, not He” as he also pointed out inside the Every Day Light online devotional text. By this, I thank Jesus for resurrecting me up to life from the death of my sin just as He has risen up from His death on the third day being as the Son of Man (Matthew 16:21, Mark 9:9, NIV).

Hence, I rejoice in Christ’s resurrection over death knowing how His death can trample down over the destruction of the Jewish temple through His resurrection (John 2:19, NIV) as I did my today’s reading.

Are you certain of the continuity of life beyond your death today?

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 14th January 2021)

Profile Background:

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch). He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Story for LIFE that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in society today.

Prayer Response to this featured article:

Thank you Jesus for your glorious and triumphant victory over death where we can live victoriously over death;

Christian ViewPoint Feature 1

A Major New Study Asks: How Does Church Affect Marital Health?

A recent report suggests that highly religious couples have better relationships and better sex. Domestic violence, however, is the same for them as their less religious neighbors.

(For more info, do click onto this link – https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/may-web-only/marriage-sociology-major-study-how-church-affects-couples.html to read this article by W. Bradford Wilcox, Alysse ElHage, and Byron R. Johnson in CT, 28th May 2019)

Prophetic Word –  It’s Time to Walk in Your Scribal Anointing Now:

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) – “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord; Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

The Lord says, “Get ready for a revival in apologetics for the learned ... for those who understand what it means to rightly divide the Word of truth. Look for the prophetic scribe to arise with fresh understanding and profound approaches of reasoning with My people concerning My will.”

“This scribal remnant will have a heart for Me ... and a deep respect for people. They will understand My love and My intention and know how to enter the hearts of people with truth and reason.”

“Have I not called My’ people to persuade concerning My word and not to fight vainly? Have I not called my people to convince and not to force the will of others? These scribes will renew skill in reason, but with My Spirit. They will reason in love, in hope and in faith – not in cruelty.

“Expect to see a new generation of scholars arise among you who understand My’ will and My written legacy. Expect them to be skilled in exegetical study as well as in popular views of scholars before them. Yet their scribal release will set a tone for understanding and clarity not previously seen. This group, says the Lord, will convince many that this calling to give life with words and to preach the gospel is not dead.

(For more info, do click onto this link – https://www.charismamag.com/blogs/prophetic-insight/48438-prophetic-word-it-s-time-to-walk-in-your-scribal-anointing-now to read this article by Theresa Harvard Johnson in Prophetic Insight, 22nd March 2021)

Robots, AI and Society:

On 23 Jan 19, Minister for Communications and Information, S. Iswaran, announced that Singapore has released a framework on how artificial intelligence (AI) can be used ethically and responsibly in businesses. Making this announcement at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, Mr Iswaran said that the framework is a ‘living document’ that will evolve as the technology develops and as its applications diversify.

(For more info, do click onto this link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/robots-ai-and-society/ to read this article by Dr Roland Chia Chew Hock Hin – Professor at Trinity Theological College (Singapore) and Theological and Research Advisor of the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity, 1st March 2021)

Meritocracy and Its Discontents:

Meritocracy may be described as a social system that allows individuals to advance in society on the basis of their capabilities and merits rather than on family wealth or social background.

(For more info, do click onto this link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/meritocracy-and-its-discontents/ to read this article by Dr Roland Chia Chew Hock Hin – Professor at Trinity Theological College (Singapore) and Theological and Research Advisor of the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity, 15th Feb 2021)

Is it the end of the world?

Someone asked me recently, in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, “Is it the end of the world?” He pointed to the present situation as unprecedented; as one that is shaking the world. The reality is that, while the current pandemic is severe and has caused many deaths and is causing much concern and anxiety, such suffering and disaster is not new in this world.

(For more info, do click onto this link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/is-it-the-end-of-the-world/ to read further on this article by Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon served as Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000-2012, 1st Feb 2021)

In Biomedical Ethics – A Christian Perspective:

Dr Roland Chia broadly sketches some Christian theological framework for biomedical ethics which he hopes adequately provides the contours of the Christian approach to bioethics.

(For more info, do click onto this link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/biomedical-ethics/ to read this article by Dr Roland Chia Chew Hock Hin – Professor at Trinity Theological College (Singapore) and Theological and Research Advisor of the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity, 4th Jan 2021)

Can We Legislate Morality? Some Contemporary Reflections:

Prof Kwan Kai-man briefly introduces some main points of this complicated debate on legislating morality. (For more info, do click onto this link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/can-we-legislate-morality/ to read this article by Kai-man Kwan for the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity, 4th Jan 2021)

Matt Chandler, Samuel Rodriguez call for repentance in sermons after Capitol storming:

Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and pastor of New Season in Sacramento, California, told his congregation Sunday that America needs to hear a message of repentance.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.christianpost.com/news/pastors-call-for-repentance-in-sermons-after-capitol-storming.html to read for further news by Leah MarieAnn Klett from Christian Post Reporter Follow, 12th Jan 2021)

 Silence and Watchfulness in Prayer:

Reformer Martin Luther said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing”. Regrettably, many modern Christians are not aware of these important spiritual texts and therefore have not benefited from the wisdom they contain. The appropriate response on the part of the wretched sinner in the presence of the holy and almighty God is not incessant chatter but silent adoration and profound gratitude, but more importantly, to wait upon him and to hear what he has to say by his Word and through his Spirit. Hence, we need to be watchful & ever alert to the thoughts and distractions that flood one’s mind during prayer.

(For more info, do click onto this link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/silence-and-watchfulness-in-prayer/ to read further on this article by Dr Roland Chia Chew Hock Hin – Professor at Trinity Theological College (Singapore) and Theological and Research Advisor of the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity, 7th Dec 2020)

What discipleship is not’:

Discipleship stems out from abiding in Christ. (For more info, do click the link –https://thir.st/blog/edmund-chan-if-discipleship-is-so-important-why-is-it-so-neglected to read for further news by Reverend Edmund Chan, Leadership Mentor – Covenant Evangelical Free Church – 28th Feb 2020)

Prophecy: We Are Entering a New Era

This new season will lead the church into a new era where she will more efficiently grasp the end time. Once judgment (judging ourselves), thorough repentance and cleansing run their course, the earth will be overwhelmed by the power and glory that shall be in manifestation through the glorious church. Then the worst shall come, but the true church will be gone.

For more info, do click onto this link – https://www.charismamag.com/blogs/prophetic-insight/41637-prophecy-we-are-entering-a-new-era to read this article by Bert Farias in Prophetic Insight, 10th June 2019)

The Resurrection of Christ

As I meditated upon how the apostle Paul said, “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance ... that he was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3a-4, NIV), this caused me to ponder of how Christ died for my sin encouraging me to thank Jesus for giving eternal life through His Death & Resurrection. Truly, I noted how one modern-day religious teacher said, “It is not necessary to believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ in order to be a Christian” and he also claim to say how “we may freely say that the bones of Jesus are still lying somewhere in the land of Israel” as he highlighted this point inside the Every Day Light online devotional text today.

Indeed, I read how Peter was adamant about how he couldn’t find Jesus body and was stunned that He has risen from the grave indeed (John 20:7, NIV). Hence, this encourages me to rejoice to know how He has raised me from the death of my sin (Acts 2:24, NIV) as I did my weekend’s reading.

Do you believe in the resurrection of Christ today?

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 10th January 2021)

Profile Background:

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch). He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Story for LIFE that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in society today.

 Prayer Response to this featured article:

Thank you Jesus for your resurrection truth that cannot be left to lie in the realm of uncertainty and lead us more deeply into this truth;

 

The Ultimate Discovery

As I meditated upon how centurion said while looking at Jesus on the cross, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39b, NIV), I saw how Jesus cried out with the strength of voice placing His trust of firm confidence in God as He expired with His last breath on the cross. Truly, I read how the old Chinese scholar said, “Didn’t I tell you there ought to be a God like that?” as he raised his question to one of his pupils inside the Every Day Light online devotional text. Indeed, the psalmist also asked, “Does he who formed the eye not see?” (Psalm 94:9b, NIV) explaining how accuracy and the workmanship of the eye of a God who sees & hears everything that are happening in the world today. By this, I read how the apostle Paul spoke on the central message on the cross and how the message of Christ’s crucifixion was being viewed as power of the cross (1 Corinthians 1:17 NIV).

I recalled how the apostle Jesus answered the Pilate and said, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin” and by this, He described how He had committed no sin and were taking on the sin of all people as a true Messiah being the Son of God (John 19:11, NIV). 

To this, I read how a leading Muslim said, “A God who would stoop and suffer is not perfect” during a television debate where the leaders of the world’s religions stumbled over this upon hearing him as mentioned inside the Every Day Light online devotional text. Indeed, Browning said, “He that created love, shall He not love?” and how a Hindu commented saying, “If Brahman would suffer He would be unhappy, and if He were unhappy He would be imperfect, and if He were imperfect” as they also mentioned their points inside the Every Day Light online devotional text too.

Hence, this prompts me to rejoice in the resurrection of Christ as I live victoriously knowing that Jesus is my hope as I joyously share the gospel with pre–believers today, and how the cross raised on Calvary is a reflection of an inner cross lying in the heart of God as I did my reading reflection today.

What does the cross mean to you as you reflect upon it?

 (Written by Jeremy Koh, 8th January 2021)

 Profile Background:

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch). He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Story for LIFE that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in society today.

 Prayer Response to this featured article:

Jesus, we see how self-giving love is the meaning behind the cross, and the meaning of the universe;