Return to Me

Unfaithfulness breaks the heart of God.

He describes Israel harlotry with idols as spiritual adultery.

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4

 “The Lord was very angry with your ancestors. ³Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.  Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. Zechariah 1:2-4

God’s message to Hosea

When a message from the Lord came to Hosea, the Lord told him, “Go marry a prostitute and have children with her, because the land is prostituting itself by departing from the Lord.” Hosea 1:2

God’s message to Jeremiah,

“When a man divorces his wife, she leaves him and
becomes another man’s wife,
will the first husband return to her again?
        The land would be deeply polluted, would it not?
Since you have committed fornication with many lovers,
    would you now return to me?”
        declares the Lord.

“Look up to the barren heights and see.
    Is there any place where you have not been ravished? Jeremiah 3:1-2 ISV

Physical adultery is just as bad, on a pastoral note, there is healing and recovery available to all who would put their hearts and souls and bodies to God.

Adultery tears away at the emotions. the very acts create a soul tie to your partner that is often difficult to break, willpower is not enough.

Adultery tears away at the family unit and their respective children, if any. Your children suffer.

Recovery is a long and arduous process, shame and condemnation can be taken away.

However, there are always steps and work to be done in a marriage to make it work.

For example, couples who are not mobility reduced should go for a walk or jog together, and communicate.

Married couples should also consider setting aside time to date, for example, a movie or a meal.

Married couple should consider setting aside time to have sex, laughter and foreplay may and can strengthen the love relationship between a married couple and make the bond, difficult to break or be distracted.

Marriage is hard work and heart work; it is also an institution that God had created in order for men and women to grow in love and maturity. It is a picture of a husband loving his wife just as Christ love us.

So, let us make time and effort to strengthen our marriage instead of letting the forces and temptation drags us to sin and err and regret.

“Family Playing” by Direct Media/ CC0 1.0

Reflections After Spartan Sprint

 

A day after the terrorists attacks on Paris France, I continue on with an inaugural Singapore Spartan Sprint.

It was good to relive some of the obstacles I faced during my days in the army.

Sometimes, I need a challenge to remind myself what I can do and overcome.

It was like a mid life resolution before mid life crisis hit me.

Got to catch up with some friends too, enjoyed the camaraderie as we completed the course together,

This obstacles course reminded me on why I am keeping myself fit and who am I fighting for in life.

Had not felt this way for fourteen years already. Was reminded that I can perform way above my current level, once a mind had been stretched, It does not really goes back to it’s original smallness.

Other than some aches , I am still okay! I am blessed with a medium frame body that is still quite agile.

Live. Laugh. Love.

For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God].

1 John 5:4  Amplified

Genesis 22:8 , A Lesson On Obedience

Abraham said, “Son, God will see to it that there’s a sheep for the burnt offering.” And they kept on walking together. Genesis 22:8 MSG

I was reading this chapter in the last week of January 2015

I felt the Holy Spirit told me, “This is not just about an offering, it is about (your) obedience. ”

This story is not just about Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac.

It was about His obedience to God. When it does not make sense

“I am listening.” It was written of Abraham in Gen 22:1

It speaks of a close communion with God.

When we obey, God will make a way out for us.

It is not by our own efforts

God will do His part, even the hard part of offering up His One and Only Son, 2000 years later on the same hill.

So that Salvation can be available to all.

May we be ever hearing of God’s leading on our lives, and may we be willing to obey

Tan Kok Siang ,

7th February 2015

A scarlet rope.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:30-31

Rahab by faith or by fear, hid the two spies on a roof and hidden them with stalks of orderly flax. In the account from Joshua 1.

After the Jericho’s men pursued them on the road to Jordan (Joshua 1 V 7)

Rahab pleaded with the two unnamed spies to spare her family. ( V 12 -13 )

Then she let them down by a rope through a window. ( V 15 )

Her house was on the city wall, she dwelt on the wall, plying her trade, it was also an unsafe place to be, in the event of an attack, the walls are the first to be rained on by artillery, such as flaming arrows.

Even if the rope was scarlet, it did not matter, it was not conspicuous because they fled at night and went to the mountains for three days. (V 16 )

There was a binding agreement, Rahab need to tie the scarlet rope in the window. It would properly have to go up to the roof top beams, the whole family would be able to see it.

The Israelite soldiers upon identifying this particular house, would spare her entire family when they attacked the city of Jericho after the walls were flattened!

Joshua personally gave an order(Joshua 6:22) for the two spies to bring Rahab and her family to safety, and left them outside the camp of Israel.

Rahab’s name is mentioned in Hebrews 11! She is justified by faith through her works! (James 2:25)

And not only that, she was in the lineage that gave birth to David!

Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king. Matthew 1:5-6

Boaz was a type of our Kinsman – Redeemer , Naomi symbolize Israel, Ruth symbolize Gentile bride(us!)

And twenty eight generation after David, Jesus Christ was born! Hallelujah ! (Ruth 4:21-22, Matthew 1:17)

Can you see the amazing rope of connection from The Old Testament to The New Testament?!

Rahab by faith, saved her entire family, spoken of by Joshua, a type and forerunner of Jesus Christ.

The scarlet rope came from the top of a window to the ground.

And is present through the ages till Christ is born! It speaks of safety, a binding agreement not easily broken!

This is a long story of redemption, justification by faith!For all of us!

Jesus Christ is our red rope, from The Old Testament to The New Testament! Hallelujah!

He saves completely!

Isaiah 40:11, a scripture of leadership & comfort for us as parents

He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm,
And carry them in His bosom,
And gently lead those who are with young. Isaiah 40:11

The Lord is our good shepherd,

1. David declared I shall not be in want. (Psam 23:1)
I may have to quit worrying and follow the leading of the shepherd to a plentiful pasture.

In Ezekiel 34:11-16 , God describe Himself as a shepherd.

In the New Testament, Jesus describe Himself as the good shepherd. (John 10:1-16)

Jesus mentioned two times in the passage that I am the good shepherd.

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. John 10:14

This OT Scriptures bring encouragement and comfort to us,

It can be briefly translated to mean the following;

2. He will take account of us, He will gather us, with His arms, He is involved. God is personally interested in our lives.

3. And carry us in His bosom, a place of closeness, intimacy, nearness and warmth, God wants us to hear His heartbeat, He is affectionate to us. He wants to show His tender mercies to us. We are not lost sheep.

4. Last but not least, this is for parents! God will also gently lead us who have young ones. God is not overbearing on us, He will gently lead us.

I hope you are bless.

Scriptures for comfort(after the loss of a young one)

Recently, I had a thought of compiling some verses for comfort and encouragements, they are by no means exhaustive.

In this case, to couples, husbands and mothers who may had lost a young one due to an accident or miscarriage,

Knowing this, that our children is in a better place in Heaven, surrounded by angels and in the Presence of God Himself. They will grow up under the watchful eyes of Jesus,

In Heaven and eternity, there is no sickness, no deformity, no unformed hearts,

King David also felt this way when he was face with the grief of losing a baby,

And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” 2 Samuel 12:22

Will we see our child again? yes, infants and young children are too young to make a conscious decision to obey or to deny the existence of God. Yes, God had formed them in the womb. God loves them more than we can. And God has a special place in His heart and Kingdom for little children, He said , Let the children come.

We will grieve and weep,

Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

His mercies are new every morning.

Thou we may feel like it is a dead end,

Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:1-2

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:17-18

To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

And in an earlier verse,

He has sent Me(Jesus) to heal the brokenhearted, Isaiah 61:1

Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

God will heal you.

Our body here on earth is temporal, one day, we will put on the incorruptible ressurrected body, and will be with Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:53-54)

And our children.

I hope you are comforted.

Tan Kok Siang, August 2013

photo taken from flickr

Psalm 144:12, some reflections

Recently in my daily reading, I read Psalm 144

I came across something on children,

May our sons flourish in their youth
like well-nurtured plants.
May our daughters be like graceful pillars,
carved to beautify a palace. Psalm 144:12 NLT

Then our sons in their youth
will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars
carved to adorn a palace. NIV

Make our sons in their prime
like sturdy oak trees,
Our daughters as shapely and bright
as fields of wildflowers. The Message version

Little and young men ought to be cultivated with manners!

And like a well nurtured plant, pruned of bad habits, reaching for the sunlight.

And watered with the Living Water.

A pillar is a refined piece of artechiture,

It speaks of a rock that was selected and hewn out, carved to shape,

It is able to hold up the roof in the palace.

In this case for the daughters, it speaks of elegance, polished and holding her own.

With a foundation in the Rock of ages, it speaks of sturdiness

In the presence of a King. May our daughters be in the presence of our King Jesus, found in His courts with thanksiving and praise.

I hope you are bless

Tan Kok Siang, August 2013

Words I say to my child every other day.

Here are some words I speak lovingly to my child, every other day.

The Scriptures reference of God’s love for Israel and us are given below too.

1. Daddy loves you with an everlasting love.

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Jeremiah 31:3

2. Daddy is well pleased with you.

And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”Matthew 3:17

3. you are the apple of my eyes.

Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, Psalms 17:8

4. Daddy will never leave you nor forsake you.

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

5. You can always come home no matter what happens,

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Sometimes my daughter looks at me with a soulful stare, or a smile when I recite these to her. Sometimes her attention are not on me, whatever it is;

It serves as a reminder for me to exhibit and live out God’s love for us.

I hope you are bless

29th July 2013