As I pondered upon what the apostle’ Peter
has said, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution,
whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him
to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is
the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the
ignorance of foolish people;” (1 PETER 2:13-15, NIV), and, this
weekend’s reading has reminded me to submit myself to every ordinance of
man for the Lord’s sake via institutions of government, marriage,
employment, education, and in Peter’s day, even slavery (1 PETER 2:18, 1
PETER 3:7, NIV).
Truly, we are to exert a redeeming influence
in our nation as responsible and productive members of society besides
being intercessors and witnesses to our nation in SG today. Indeed, we
are God’s holy people living in a secular state with a multi-religious
society. And, we see the invisible hand of God and the visible hand of
an exceptional Government ordained by God since 1965. Because the laws
are righteous and the fundamentals are right, we can honour our rulers
and submit to their authority without compromising our Christian
convictions.
As Solomon has said, “Through the blessing of the
upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is
destroyed;” (PROVERBS 11:11, NIV), we’re truly sorry for not speaking
positive words of blessing upon those in authority except blaming them
with our words but for us to acknowledge the LORD’S guiding hand upon
our strong, stable, and successful Government and speak words of
blessings over their lives too, as I did my weekend’s meditation.
As such, we give thanks to God for:
• For pro-family policies that uphold the social norm of the married heterosexual family unit.
•
For wise, prudent, and far-sighted leaders who serve with passion and a
deep sense of purpose to keep Singapore vibrant, A Home with Hope and
Heart.
• For a first-class Public Service, centered on right values: integrity, service, excellence.
• For a strong and trusted judiciary and effective rule of law respected around the world.
• For a culture of zero tolerance for corruption and drug abuse.
•
For a policy of religious freedom which guarantees every person the
right to profess, practice, and propagate his or her faith.
•
For a policy of racial and religious harmony which ensures that race and
religion will not be used to incite conflict and disharmony.
• For a policy of social justice that helps the needy in their efforts to live well and make ends meet.
• For an extraordinary healthcare system that has become a marvel to other nations.
• For an excellent education system ranked as one of the world’s best.
• For sound economic strategies that keep our economy robust and future-ready.
• For a strong and vigilant defense force that exercises the power of deterrence and diplomacy.
• For a strong police force dedicated to making Singapore the safest place in the world.
• For a world-class infrastructure of air, maritime, and land transport.
•
For excellent strategies that ensure good housing, clean drinking
water, reliable power, wireless access clean and green cityscape.
ADAPTED FROM LOVESINGAPORE, DAY OF HIS POWER 2018
Let’s give thanks to God for our strong, stable, and successful Government today!
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 & a HR Administrator
Graduate (CHRA) under Human Capital Singapore–SGEnable Collaboration of
Partnership – HCS HR PowerBank (7th Dec 2021 to 3rd June 2022). Jeremy
has also worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing
Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013); as KeyGuard
Specialist @(these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for
10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch); an
Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to
Oct 2017); as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia
Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, Jeremy is a
Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Stories for
LIFE (Affiliated with Youth Corps Singapore, a former member of the
Special Needs Cluster) that serves the Special Needs Community at-large
in the society, as well as being a PwD Advocate – a representing voice
of the Disabled Community to the public today.
Prayer Response to this featured article:
Jesus,
we repent of our ingratitude and cynicism upon those in authority of
the Government and that we may speak speaking positive words of blessing
upon their lives today.
(Written by Jeremy Koh, 13th July 2019)
Saturday, 2 September 2023
Peter’s citizenship
Saturday, 26 August 2023
Peter's Communion
As I pondered upon what the apostle’ Peter said, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy;” (1 PETER 2:9-10, NIV), indeed, I saw how Peter boldly applies the signature attributes of ancient Israel to the Church, by saying, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own possession (1 PETER 2:9, EXODUS 19:5-6, NIV). Hence, this encourages me to practice living godly life, confessing my sin to God and commit to change my lifestyle ways to a Holy Lifestyle Living, as I proclaim the good news of God to pre-believers – upon what Christ has done for me, transforming my life around so that they may see my good deeds and glorify God in their lives too, as the apostle Paul said, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14, NIV), yes, many people remain unreached and unblessed because they have not yet heard the Good News in many nations surrounding us today.
Truly, the Church is not a replacement of Israel, but a restoration of Israel according to God’s original plan. As God’s royal priesthood, you & I can offer up our spiritual sacrifices of prayer and proclamation, to stand in the gap between God and His world, to be God’s witnesses as we proclaim His excellencies’ who have called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, as I did my weekend’s meditation.
Are you too busy and burnt out to pray today?
Indeed, the priesthood of all believers is a distinctive of the Church Jesus builds. For, the Church is a missionary movement, spreading the gospel and not only for conversion of hearts, but also for the healing of the nation (WWW.METHODIST.ORG.SG): And, a community of Jesus which seeks to hide itself has ceased to follow him (DIETRICH BONHOEFFER) as he highlighted this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text.
As the apostle Paul said, “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (ROMANS 10:14, NIV). Hence, we’re called to inherit the global mission of Israel to share this blessing with all the peoples of the earth (GENESIS 12:3; EXODUS 19:6, NIV).
Indeed, the world is our parish (JOHN WESLEY) as he mentioned this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text.
Do you confess your sins to God and commit to change your lifestyle today?
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 & a HR Administrator Graduate (CHRA) under Human Capital Singapore–SGEnable Collaboration of Partnership – HCS HR PowerBank (7th Dec 2021 to 3rd June 2022). Jeremy has also worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013); as KeyGuard Specialist @(these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch); an Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017); as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, Jeremy is a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Stories for LIFE (Affiliated with Youth Corps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster) that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in the society, as well as being a PwD Advocate – a representing voice of the Disabled Community to the public today.
Prayer Response to this featured article:
Thank you Jesus that you’re a foundation of the Church today;
(Written by Jeremy Koh, 12th July 2019)
Saturday, 12 August 2023
The Great Commandment and The Great Commission
As I meditated upon what Jesus said,
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them
to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you
always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20. ESV), I thank God for
reminding me to disciple someone’s faith and for him/her to be Christ’s
disciple & be His follower all the days of his/her life just as I do
today and every day of my life as I pondered through and celebrated
this 58th National Day. Indeed, you & I are to enter into a
relationship of learning to be like Jesus as we encourage others to
follow Him and be His followers while we grow in fellowship with others,
in worship, serving others, and grow in grace together. And, we can
learn these virtues, disciplines, and practices purposefully for our
lives. Truly, I thank God for different pastors and leaders who have
been interceding & praying for our nation fervently, turning
Singapore Godward, winning the youth and blessing the nations today –
upholding this vision for every believer, bringing Christ light into
every arena of darkness and being His light to others today.
Indeed,
I praise the LORD to know that God has put us together in this nation
to fulfill the Great Commission, where we can spread God’s love and
share the Gospel with the people God has positioned in our sphere of
influence, through our good works and our spoken words to others who are
pre–believers especially our youths & young adults + their
families/friends and their elderly parents today.
How has God changed your heart for those who don’t yet know Jesus?
Let’s turn Singapore Godward, win the youth and bless the nations today!
(Reflected upon devotion written by Ps Jeff Chong, a Chairman of LoveSingapore and Senior Pastor of Hope Singapore / Jeremy Koh)
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 & a HR Administrator
Graduate (CHRA) under Human Capital Singapore–SGEnable Collaboration of
Partnership – HCS HR PowerBank (7th Dec 2021 to 3rd June 2022). Jeremy
has also worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing
Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013); as KeyGuard
Specialist @(these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for
10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch); an
Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to
Oct 2017); as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia
Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, Jeremy is a
Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Stories for
LIFE (Affiliated with Youth Corps Singapore, a former member of the
Special Needs Cluster) that serves the Special Needs Community at-large
in the society, as well as being a PwD Advocate – a representing voice
of the Disabled Community to the public today.
Prayer Response to this featured article:
Thank
you Jesus for loving Singapore, choosing to work through us to be your
instruments of blessings and peace; unite us in your Great Commandment
and Great Commission! We ask God for deep conviction and fervour among
individuals and churches to share the Gospel with others. Help us to
shine God’s light brightly in every area of darkness and for every
believer to become an active ambassador of this light. God, stir the
hearts of young people across Singapore, drawing them to your grounding
truth and unshakable hope.
(9th
August 2023 – National Day)
Let’s pray’ for our government of the Cabinet Ministers, Elected MPs who are office–holders in political offices today!
Current Cabinet:
Madam Halimah Yacob – President of Singapore
Mr Mr Seah Kian Peng – Speaker of Parliament
Lee Hsien Loong – Prime Minister
Mr Lawrence Wong – Deputy Prime Minister / Minister for Finance
Mr Heng Swee Keat – Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister + Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies.
Mr Teo Chee Hean – Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan – Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister-in-charge of the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore
Mr K Shanmugam – Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law
Mr Chan Chun Sing –Minister for Education/Minister in–Charge for Public Service
Mr Ong Ye Kung – Minister for Health – Minister in–charge for ageing issues
Mr Gan Kim Yong – Minister for Trade and Industry.
Dr
Tan See Leng – Minister for Manpower/Second Minister for Trade and
Industry & 2nd NTUC secretary-general as Minister in the Prime
Minister’s Office.
Mr S Iswaran – Minister for Transport/
Minister– in–charge of Trade Relations in the Ministry of Trade and
Industry (Leave of Absence)
Mrs Josephine Teo – Minister for
Communications and Information/Second Minister for Home Affairs &
Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Initiative & Cyber–Security
Ms Grace Fu – Minister for Sustainability and Environment.
Mr
Masagos Zulkifli – Minister for Social and Family Development and
Second Minister for Health + Minister‐in-charge of Muslim Affairs
Mr
Desmond Lee – Minister for National Development + Minister‐in-charge of
Social Services Integration in Ministry for Social and Family
Development;
Ms Indranee Rajah – Second Minister for National
Development + Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and as Second
Minister for Finance (Leader of the House)
Dr Maliki Osman –
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Education
and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, 1st NTUC secretary-general as
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mr Edwin Tong –
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, and Second Minister for Law/
Deputy Chairman of the People’s Association;
Monday, 31 July 2023
CHRISTIAN VIEWPOINT FEATURE #10
The Differences between Cultural Modesty and Biblical Humility:
The 1989 novel The Joy Luck Club follows the travails of four Chinese-American women as they grow up between East and West. One memorable clash of cultures occurs when Waverly, one of the four, brings home her eager-to-please fiancé Rich (who happens to be Caucasian-American). Waverly’s mother brings out her signature dish from the kitchen and laments, “Ai! This dish not salty enough, no flavor … It is too bad to eat!” Rich misses this cultural signal to praise her cooking and instead drenches the delicately steamed pork and vegetables with soy sauce!
This scene illustrates the important principle of modesty (Chinese kèqì) which distinguishes Eastern styles of communication from the directness of Western styles. Though modesty is rooted in commendable Confucian values, modern Asian culture has often seen it devolve into a form of reverse psychology, as when Waverly’s mother expects her dinner guests to reciprocate her self-deprecation with praise. Christians in Asia are hardly immune to conflating the cultural trait of modesty with the genuine virtue `of humility, of course. Second Samuel 9 points out the differences between modesty that lowers oneself for self-interest, and humility that does so genuinely without expecting anything in return. In this narrative, King David desires to show kindness to the remnant of Saul’s family (2 Sam. 9:1). The now-deceased Saul had repeatedly tried to kill him (e.g., 1 Sam. 18:10–11), but David responded by making a covenant with Saul’s son Jonathan that they would always seek one another’s good (1 Sam. 20:5–17).
(For more info, do click the link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/culturalmodesty-biblicalhumility by Rev Dr Jerry Hwang | 17th Feb 2020 | Credo)
Live for Days You Will Not See – The Beauty of Christian Legacy:
Imagine that you receive a word from a trustworthy prophet. It begins hopefully enough: “You will live long and die in peace, and your name will be remembered for centuries.” But then comes a turn: “A few generations after you die, devastation will visit your family and your church. Your descendants will lie in ruins.”
How might you respond?
(For more info, do click the link – https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/live-for-days-you-will-not-see by Scott Hubbard, 20th July, – inside Desiring God)
Did Jesus Pursue His Own Glory? The God–Centeredness of the God–Man:
While the God-centeredness of God might lead us to expect a simple Christ-centeredness of Christ in his earthly ministry, this is largely not what we (yet) find in his state of humiliation. In End, Edwards points to John 7:18 (one of several statements from Jesus renouncing the pursuit of his own glory) as characteristic of Christ’s humbled state: “The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.” The incarnate Christ does not “[seek] his own glory” but the glory of his Father, “him who sent him.” Jesus sought his Father’s glory, says Edwards, “as his highest and last end.”
In Freedom, Edwards observes that “the words [of Isaiah 42:1–4] imply a promise of [Christ’s] being so upheld by God’s Spirit, that he should be preserved from sin; particularly from pride and vainglory, and from being overcome by any of the temptations he should be under to affect the glory of this world; the pomp of an earthly prince, or the applause and praise of men.”
So, to be clear, the God-centered God becoming man in the life of Christ does not produce one who is, in essence, a self-centered human. Jesus’s preservation from sin, says Edwards, is “particularly from pride and vainglory.” As demonstrated in rebuffing Satan’s temptations in the wilderness, Jesus did not pursue “the glory of this world.”
(For more info, do click the link – https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/did-jesus-pursue-his-own-glory by David Mathis, 11th July, Executive Editor – inside Desiring God)
The Cross and the Sword: The Church’s Relationship to the Government
Without resorting to the other extreme of having either Church or State rule over the other, Bonhoeffer refined the “two kingdoms” doctrine by emphasizing the importance of divine commission. God has given several human institutions the mandate to function in the world as a means by which the world is preserved until the Last Day. In Ethics, a book that remains unfinished due to his unfortunate martyrdom, Bonhoeffer lists four such mandates: Work, Family, Government, and the Church. For clarity, “Government” is capitalized in this essay without the definite article to refer to the mandate, and not to any specific government in power.
For Bonhoeffer, none of these mandates stand in authority over the others (not even the Church!). Instead, reflecting the harmony of creation, they relate to each other as accountability partners, mutually holding each other accountable to function according to their divinely appointed task; In other words, the Church, whose role is to proclaim Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:23-24), should not interfere in politics. However, it can and should speak up when Government fails to operate according to its role, which is to restrain evil and maintain order through the sword (cf. Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-14). This distinction between roles is important in our present context since we live in a post–Christendom world. The erosion of Christian values from the laws of the State are not inherently an attack on the Church, but more a reflection of the existing state of societal values as discerned by our elected representatives. Such a reflection is what should happen in a functioning democracy.
When Government removes a law that has been a flashpoint for fractures in society, while implementing measures to constructively engage with the issue, it fulfils its role. Government cannot be expected to proclaim Christ through the laws it makes – that is the function of the Church.
(For more info, do click the link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/the-cross-and-the-sword-the-churchs-relationship-to-the-government/ by Rev Benjamin Fong | 5th June 2023 | inside Featured Articles)
Seoul stadium overflows for 50th anniversary of Billy Graham's historic Korea crusade:
A crowd of about 70,000 people overflowed the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Saturday as Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, gave a passionate sermon on the 50th anniversary of his father Billy Graham’s historic outreach in Seoul. Graham’s address occurred on a significant day, mirroring an event that drew 1.1 million people to Yoido Plaza on June 3, 1973. Known as Billy Graham’s largest crusade, attendees predominantly made the journey on foot, showing an extraordinary devotion and eagerness to engage with the spiritual message.
The Korean churches and Dr. Billy Kim, the pastor who translated for Billy Graham during the original 1973 outreach, extended the invitation to Franklin Graham. The event sought to offer solace and inspiration, echoing the profound effect of the original gathering.
(For more info, do click the link – https://www.christianpost.com/news/billy-graham-korea-crusade-anniversary-event-draws-70k.html by Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor, 5th June 2023 inside Christian Post)
Love Your Children, Love God More – Lessons from Sarah Edwards:
Sarah Edwards (1710–1758), wife of the great theologian and revival preacher Jonathan Edwards, is most often remembered for her lifelong devotion to God. She had experienced God’s grace even as a little girl. At age 16, she confided in her journal that she had been “led to prize nearness to Christ as the creature’s greatest happiness” (Sarah Edwards: Delighting in God, 27).
In addition to being a devoted Christian, Sarah was the mother of eleven children. Having married at the age of 17, she gave birth to her first baby the next year, and had ten more children at more or less two-year intervals until she was 40. In the eighteenth century, childbirth was still painful and risky. Rates of maternal (and infant) mortality were high. Sarah’s life was in danger at least once during childbirth. We should not romanticize the physical and emotional burden of bearing and raising eleven children.
So how did she respond to the challenges of motherhood? What might her example teach us today?
(For more info, do click the link – https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/love-your-children-love-god-more by Sharon James, 13th May, Guest Contributor – inside Desiring God)
Ageing Well: Gift and Growth
Singapore faces the daunting reality of an ageing population. Advancement in medical care, a greater awareness of health issues, as well as earlier illness detection and intervention have given rise to a higher life expectancy of around 80 years in Singapore. Coupled with a low total fertility rate, it is projected that one in four Singaporeans will be above the age of 65 by 2030. This has led some to call this phenomenon a “silver tsunami”. This, however, tends to carry a negative connotation. It gives the baleful impression that the elderly will flood the country and overwhelm the system. Underlying this is the more pernicious insinuation that the elderly have nothing to contribute to society and only drain limited resources.
(For more info, do click the link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/ageing-well-gift-and-growth/ by Rev Dr Jeremy-Joe Tan | 1st May 2023 | inside Feature)
Fighting Fake News:
In Singapore, local websites such as ‘Truth Warriors’ have posted misleading and unverified information about Covid-19 vaccines. Some of these websites have also published articles which made the baseless claim that Ivermectin is a safe and effective drug for early treatment of Covid-19. In a study published in Nature, researchers used data from Twitter, Facebook, and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to study the link between online misinformation and vaccine hesitancy in the United States. After analysing 55 million tweets, they found a direct correlation between misinformation and vaccine uptake – when misinformation rose, vaccine uptake decreased.
(For more info, do click the link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/fighting-fake-news/ by Dr Roland Chia | 1st May 2023 | inside Pulse)
End of the Global South – Updating the State of World Missions:
Evangelicals are serious about missions. To crib a quote from the American historian Douglas Sweeney, “Evangelicals care about nothing more than evangelizing the world.” Sweeney may be speaking in hyperbole, but not by much. We are passionate about doing and well-known for our activism. This is an evangelical strength. What evangelicals, as a group, have not always taken seriously is the life of the mind. As Mark Noll wrote in his epistle of a wounded lover, “The scandal of the evangelical mind is that there is not much of an evangelical mind.” We have not been as passionate about thinking and are not as well-known for our erudition. This has been an evangelical weakness.
(For more info, do click the link – https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/end-of-the-global-south by F. Lionel Young III, 25th April, Guest Contributor – inside Desiring God)
A Woman’s Value and Identity, Beyond Motherhood:
Like an intense, encompassing first love, motherhood comes with an enveloping heady-ness and focus.
Suddenly, your time, sleep and energy all go towards that one person – your bundle of joy. Even as they grow, your permanent role as mother means they remain a perennial focus. But wait, besides being a mother, you are still a wife, a daughter, perhaps even a doctor, writer, or teacher. Especially when motherhood seems to override every other role and interest, how do you reclaim your own identity?
(For more info, do click the link – https://archive.family.org.sg/FOTFS/Blog/Parenting/A_Woman_Value_and_Identity_BeyondMotherhood.aspx.html by Skye Tan| 3rd March 2023 |inside Family Focus)
A Christian View of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Part 1 & 2):
The word “plague” in Greek is θανάτῳ (thanato) which is also translated “pestilence” and “disease”. According to Jeremiah Jaques of the Philadelphia Church of God, the pale horse “is a personification of disease epidemics—sickly, haunting and unyielding.” He believes that the COVID-19 pandemic is the harbinger of the biblical apocalypse. And he is not alone. COVID-19 is not the only plague in recent history. We overcame HIV/AIDs (1981), the pneumonic plague (1994), SARS (2003), Avian flu/H5N1(2006), Dengue fever (2006), swine flu/H1N1 (2009), Cholera (2010), MERS (2013), Ebola (2014), Measles/Rubeola (2014), Zika (2016) and Measles again (2019).
Going further back in history, there was one plague that fitted the end-time apocalyptic descriptions in the Bible. The Black Death (bubonic plague) devastated Europe between 1348 and 1350 killing a quarter to half of the region’s population. It struck again and again in 1362, 1368 and 1381 as it would intermittently into the 18th century. In most parts of Europe, it took nearly 80 years for the population sizes to recover, and in some areas more than 150 years.
The disease was so lethal that some went to bed well and died before morning; some doctors caught the illness at the patient’s bedside and died before the patient. The symptoms include continuous fever and the spitting of blood, coughing, and heavy sweating. Everything about the victims smelled foul. The mortality rate ranged from 20 to 90 percent. Depression and despair descended on all who contracted the disease.
What are the Lessons for Me as a Christian?
The COVID-19 pandemic is not a sign the world will end soon. It is a reminder that the world is vulnerable and we are not in control. It is not permanent, and will ultimately give way to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. And He might come at any moment.
In light of this, what are the lessons for me as a Christian?
(For more info, do click the link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/christianviewofcovid19part1/ & https://ethosinstitute.sg/christianviewofcovid19part2/ by Dr William Wan | 6th Apr & 4th May 2020 | inside Featured Articles)
Train Them Up in Jesus – The One–Verse Vision for Dads:
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4). Following the negative charge to fathers — “do not provoke your children to anger” — Paul captures a positive vision for Christian parenting with two key terms: “discipline and instruction” in the ESV. The Greek words beneath them have been the subject of much discussion and have led to a variety of translations. We might capture the meaning just as well, if not better, with training and counsel — which might help both our clarity of vision and practical application in parenting.
(For more info, do click the link – https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/train-them-up-in-jesus by David Mathis (Executive Editor), 25th May 2023 – inside Desiring God)
Number of Americans attending in-person church services is rising:
At the same time, the share of Americans who mostly elect to attend worship services online has consistently decreased over the past three years. While nearly half (45%) of Americans attended church services primarily online in 2021, that figure dropped to 30% in 2022 and decreased further to 21% in 2023. As the percentage of Americans who primarily prefer one method of worship service over another has seen wide fluctuations in the past three years, the share of respondents who say they chose both methods about equally have remained relatively steady. Measured at 17% in 2021, that figure decreased to 14% in 2022 and 12% in 2023.
When asked why they prefer attending church services online, 9% of those surveyed characterized virtual worship services as “more convenient to my schedule.” Seven percent pointed to “concerns about getting exposed to sickness” as the reason why they prefer online church services, suggesting a lingering effect from the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional reasons listed for favoring online church services include appreciating the “freedom and comforts of home” (7%), fewer distractions (5%), an inability to physically attend in-person services (3%), a belief that online services amount to “a more effective way to connect with God” (3%) and the fact that their “online church or temple is too distant to attend in person” (3%).
Broken down by generation, the increase in in-person church attendance from 2022 to 2023 was most pronounced among Generation Z. In 2022, a bare majority of those born after 1997 (52%) attended church services in person. That figure skyrocketed to 72% in 2023. A sharp decrease in the share of Generation Z attending church online, from 40% in 2022 to 16% in 2023, accompanied the large increase in in-person church attendance.
(For more info, do click the link – https://www.christianpost.com/news/number-of-americans-attending-church-in-person-is-rising.html by Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter, 15th May – inside Christian Post)
It Takes a Church:
“It takes a village to raise a child.” This African proverb, the origin of which remains a mystery, has become widely known and loved. Its broad appeal is no doubt due to the fact that it rings true, that is, it conveys an earthy wisdom that contemporary society finds uncommonly refreshing and challenging.
Equally true is the proposition that it takes the Church to raise a godly child.
From its earliest beginnings, the Church has understood the important role that it—as a Christian community—plays in the nurture of children. This is instantiated in a number of practices that are an inseparable part of the Church’s liturgical and communal life: infant baptism, children’s catechism, children’s communion, etc.
These practices reveal the way in which the Church, shaped by the teachings of Scripture, regards children. Unlike the Greco–Roman society of the second century that often deemed children as mere property, the early Christians saw them as bearers of the divine image (Gen 1:26–28) and therefore as possessing an inviolable dignity.
(For more info, do click the link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/it-takes-a-church/ by Dr Roland Chia | 4th May 2020 | inside Credo)
The Least of These…
The greater tragedy however, isn’t that some don’t experience complete recovery, but that they are met by a host of well-meaning persons in the Church who make their suffering more isolated than necessary. I have personally heard a pastor conclude: “If Christians appropriate the truths of Scripture, there would be no need for full-time counselors in the Church.” Another more humble Christian leader remarked: “Christians active in service can still be depressed?”
The real danger in the Church however, lies in the belief that we already understand all we need to know about why people suffer mental disorders, and the erroneous conclusion that practicing Christians should not suffer any mental afflictions.
(For more info, do click the link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/the-least-of-these/ by Dr Eliza Lian | 2nd Mar 2020 | inside Featured Articles)
Covid-19 and the “Health-and-Wealth Gospel”
Covid–19 has been a cause of fear for many people recently. News of church members being infected have been reported in the headlines. On the other hand, messages of some pastors claiming that ‘No virus can come near you’ have gone viral in social media. How then are we to make sense of the fact that Christians have been infected? Do they not have enough faith or spiritual understanding, or are they not truly Christians?
(For more info, do click the link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/covid19-healthwealth/ by Dr Andrew Loke| 2nd Mar 2020 | inside Featured Articles)
“We are Beggars. This is True.”
It has been almost 30 years since Stephen Covey helpfully introduced into the business world the concepts of scarcity and abundance mindsets. An effective person, with a mindset of abundance, strives for a win-win situation, always rejecting a zero-sum outlook which breeds unhealthy competition, envy, and ingratitude (Covey 2013).
A quick Google search would show that this psychology of success has been uncritically co-opted by certain sectors of Christian popular writing. Disciples of Jesus are counseled to view the world not as a place of scarcity but abundance.
There is nothing theologically objectionable to understanding our infinite, generous God as the overflowing fount. But it is presumptuous and irresponsible to conclude that the world’s resources as non-zero-sum. Species extinction demythologizes that notion.
Much more hazardous is the modification of Covey’s oppositional pair into the poverty versus abundance mindsets. With such a stark choice, it is not hard to fall down the slippery slope of a first world, prosperity gospel.
Instead of pitting abundance against poverty, we should rather see this as a dialectic functioning within a theological anthropology. In the light of human beings created in the image of God (imago Dei), there are five motifs for reflection: property, agency, natality, receptivity, and poverty.
(For more info, do click the link – https://ethosinstitute.sg/we-are-beggars/ by Dr Tan Seng Kong | 15th Jun 2020 | inside Credo)
Is It Normal For Me to Be So Angry With My Kids?
At some point of your journey in parenthood, you may have found yourself grappling with intense feelings of frustration with your children, and wonder how to overcome the angry outbursts that come along with it.
While it may be uncomfortable, experiencing a range of emotions, including anger, is normal. There are also ways to help us identify if we are managing angry feelings well, together with practical handles to ease our frustrations in this aspect of parenthood.
(For more info, do click the link – https://archive.family.org.sg/FOTFS/Blog/Parenting/is_it_normal_for_me_to_be_so_angry_with_my_kids.aspx.html|by June Yong| 13th May 2020 |inside Family Focus)
Raising a Responsible Child Does Not Need Harsh Methods:
Cultivating good habits in our children take time, patience and hard work. As we teach our kids to be responsible from an early age, they will start practicing good habits and take ownership of their day-to-day responsibilities.
How can we help our children develop healthy behaviours that will carry them through life?
(For more info, do click the link – https://archive.family.org.sg/FOTFS/Blog/Parenting/raising_a_responsible_child_does_not_need_harsh_methods.aspx.html by Mark Lim | 31st January 2020 |inside Family Focus)
Saturday, 29 July 2023
Purpose Last
During my devotional reading, I reflected how the king could not alter the first decree, but he could put into effect a second decree that would make the first decree basically null and void. The second decree could in no way remove the first decree, but it could only counteract the first one (Esther 8:3–8, NIV). In perspective, the decree for the human race is death, eternal separation from God because of our sin. This decree can’t be altered. I do see how God is a holy and righteous God and He can't ignore sin. I question how if God just accepted us in our sinful condition and did not deal with our unrighteousness, wouldn’t that make Him unjust?
Indeed, Isaiah 64:6,7 reminds me that “we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags...For You have hidden Your face from us, And have consumed us because of our iniquities.” It made me reflect how a flaming fire takes vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. And they would be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (2 Thessalonians 1:8–9, NIV). But for all those who apply the second decree to their life, the blood of Christ covers their sins (Revelation 1:5–6, NIV).
Because of the cleansing of Christ upon our life, when we stand before God we will not be standing in our own righteousness, but the righteousness that has been imputed to us through Christ. This teaches me that we can stand upon God’s righteousness to let Him fulfill His purposes in our lives.
Let’s fulfill God’s purposes through our lives today!
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 & a HR Administrator Graduate (CHRA) under Human Capital Singapore–SGEnable Collaboration of Partnership – HCS HR PowerBank (7th Dec 2021 to 3rd June 2022). Jeremy has also worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013); as KeyGuard Specialist @(these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch); an Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017); as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, Jeremy is a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Stories for LIFE (Affiliated with Youth Corps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster) that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in the society, as well as being a PwD Advocate – a representing voice of the Disabled Community to the public today.
Prayer Response to this featured article:
Lord, we’re grateful that despite the constant attempts of the world to defeat the purposes of God, we could still stand upon the righteousness of God. Enable us to live a righteous life pleasing to the Lord.
(Written by Jeremy Koh, 7th February 2014)
Saturday, 15 July 2023
Still Here
During my devotional reading, I saw how Esther reminded Mordecai that it was a capital offense to appear before the king uninvited, unless he spared the intruder’s life by extending the golden scepter. She explained to him of how a further complication would have made such action doubly dangerous for her to not be summoned by Ahasuerus for thirty days, indicated that she might had incurred his displeasure. In turn, Mordecai responded to Esther’s rationale point was that even though she was a queen, she would not been escape when the rest of the Jews were slain. And that she would be destroyed if she refused to act now, when someone else would arise to deliver His people. I suspect that Queen Esther ascended to the throne so that she could save her people (Esther 4:10–14, NIV).
I reflect how each one of us should be optimistic about trying circumstances that we are encountering today to boldly approach the heavenly throne for grace to help us in time of need (Hebrews 4:16, NIV) and this prompts me to seek God’s forgiveness that has been stretched out to me at Calvary. I also saw how Haman went out to proclaim his worst enemy as a man whom the King delights to honour (Esther 6:4–11, NIV).
Today, I exalt God as King whom delights to be honoured in my life.
Let’s exalt God and honour Him as King in our lives!
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 & a HR Administrator Graduate (CHRA) under Human Capital Singapore–SGEnable Collaboration of Partnership – HCS HR PowerBank (7th Dec 2021 to 3rd June 2022). Jeremy has also worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013); as KeyGuard Specialist @(these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch); an Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017); as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, Jeremy is a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Stories for LIFE (Affiliated with Youth Corps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster) that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in the society, as well as being a PwD Advocate – a representing voice of the Disabled Community to the public today.
Prayer Response to this featured article:
Lord, how comforting for us to know that ‘You’ deserves all the’ honour and praises due to Your Name.
(Written by Jeremy Koh, 6th February 2014)
Saturday, 1 July 2023
Walking with God
Hence, we’re to walk with God: by talking with God; by letting God know our deepest thoughts; by praising God every day for the wonders of life; by being open to God's presence everywhere; by trusting God with our life. The more we work on intimacy with God, the more we will trust God.
Profile Background:
(Written by David Hauk – (Pennsylvania, U.S.A) from the Upper Room Ministries)
Prayer Response to this featured article:
Do pray we draw closer to God that we would have a deep integrity in our walk with God with a sense of God's daily presence in our lives.
(The unrecalled date/year of published time)