USHERING THE NEW YEAR 2012

May God’s promises strike the chord of joy in our hearts....

It is a matter of few days more before the final chapter of the Year 2011 come to a close. Below are some words of encouragement as we are ushering the New Year 2012.

In Jeremiah 33:3 God says: “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know....” The verse among many in the Bible speaks of God’s readiness to hear us anytime when we call on Him in spite of our shortcomings.

God’s assurance of protection and long life for believers is also found in Psalm 91, and His promise to be with believers in time of troubles (Hebrews 13:5-6). He will never leave us nor forsake us. Therefore, with the promises of God’s presence and help in mind, we as believers can move forward into the coming New Year 2012 with utmost confidence because God will manage our journey in His wise and loving ways!

May God’s promises strike the chord of joy in our hearts by the measure of our faith in Him. We will see and experience how God assists, directs and manages the outcomes of our circumstances when we declare faithfully that the Lord is our helper; we will not fear!

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Wishing Christmas-celebrants blessed Christmas and Eternal Hope.

Ngagai bala ke ngintu Hari Kristmas

Arapka pengarami Kristmas  tau mai berekat enggau pengadang di serega.

May the New Year 2012 brings you all Good Health, godly Success, and Prosperity        

Awak-ka Tahub Baru 2012 mai pengerai, pemujur pengawa enggau penguntung idup

CHRISTMAS & MEANINGS

CHRISTMAS or MASS OF CHRIST

The Nativity by Charles-François Poerson, 1667

  “CHRISTMAS literally means the Mass (celebration) of Christ (or Christ’s Mass).  ‘Christ’ is a Greek word and title meaning ‘anointed’ or one set apart by God for a special purpose. ‘Christ’ is equivalent to the Hebrew word ‘Messiah’” which means God-sent deliverer of the people (= glad tidings). Christmas is: “.... cosmic symbolism...which inspired the Church leadership in Rome to elect the winter solstice, December 25, as the birthday of Christ”. The biblical-historical narratives on the birth of Jesus Christ are found in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20.
    Visit by the Three Wisemen from the East

The Bible also mentions the angelic guidance (Matthew 2:10) and warning given to: (a) the three wise men or magi (Matthew 2:12) to keep Jesus away from Herod’s wrath; and the instruction given to (b) Joseph to take Mary and baby Jesus out from Bethlehem and fled to Egypt (Matthew 2:13). From my lay-man understanding, this could have been one reason why Jesus’ actual date of birth was kept unknown by God’s grace then from public knowledge.

The New Testament gives no date or year for Jesus’ birth.  The earliest gospel – that of St. Mark, written about 65 CE begins with the baptism of an adult Jesus.  This suggests two things: (a) That the birth of Christ was of no public interest, and (b) That the earliest Christians lacked interest in or knowledge of Jesus’ date of birth.

MEANINGS and MESSAGE

Christians believe prophecies in the Old Testament (OT) about the coming of Al-Messiah (Messianic prophecies) were fulfilled through the birth of Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus Christ is “theophany” or “theophaneia” in Greek. Notably ‘theo’ means god while ‘phaneia’ means appearing or showing  oneself. In that sense, Christmas is a joyous celebration to mark the visible appearance of God in the form of human being. The Gospel of John 1:1-3, 14 announce the pre-existence and origin of Jesus (as God through the Word of God or “Kalimatullah” born in human form), and the purpose of Jesus’ coming (salvation or “al-najat” of mankind from sins).

Between the Date and Message of Christmas – Personal Views

1.   The selection of the winter solstice, December 25, as the birthday of Christ or Christmas Day is non-issue since. It has been defined, refined and accepted as sound Christians’ tradition for  two thousand years. The selected date neither negates Jesus’ birth nor changes the theological purpose of Jesus’ birth. 

2. Remembering and clebrating the birth of Christ are biblical therefore because His birth marks the coming of Good News (Gospels, or ‘Injeel’, or Glad Tidings) into the world at large.

3. Suffice to say while the birth of Jesus Christ brings forth the Glad Tidings, His redemptive death on the Cross and Resurrection are The Grand Finale of the Good News of God’s Salvation Plan for all believers and assurance in the world hereafter.

GOD IS BIGGER THAN “THE BIGGEST NUMBER”

What is the bigest number ...?

During an inter-faith discourse, a time was set in between for any member of the audience to ask question or express an opinion on the subject matter under discussion.

Serudyn summoned up his courage stood up and pointedly said to one of the key speakers during the discourse. The speaker was a notable religious scholar-cum-professor in comparative religions.

Serudyn asked: “Professor! What is the biggest number?”

Caught by surprised  the professor said: “There is none.... Why do you ask? What relevance has the biggest number in relation to God? ...... ”

Serudyn: “Why there is none? ... Can you explain ....”

Feeling a bit agitated the professor said: “Well ......  Let's say we have a very big number, and it is called gazillion.”

Serudyn: “All right ...... Is gazillion big?”

Professor replied:  “Let's say it is - very big, but I don't really know how big.”

Serudyn nodded in agreement: “OK!.....”

Professor asked:  “What do you get when you add "1" to the number "2"?

Serudyn answered: “Mathematically  ...that’s ... "3": "2" plus "1".

Professor asked further: “What do you get when you add "1" to that gazillion number?”

Serudyn replied:   “I don't know.  Is it gazillion plus "1"?”

Professor said:  “Yes, it is.  Let's add "1" to the new number.”

Serudyn:  “I think I understand.  We can get many gazillion, and still add "1" more.”

Professor:  “Right, that's what I mean by "there is no biggest number".

Serudyn said:   “Yeah, Prof. the biggest number is like God.”

Professor asked:   “Really?  How so?”     

Serudyn replied: “You know professor, we learn about God little by little. We can't learn all not even through the Scriptures, traditions including His many names and attributes.  GOD IS too big and BIGGER THAN THE LARGEST NUMBER.”

 Professor admittedly said: “Today I’m humbled .... My knowledge about All-Knowing is indeed limited”

MANAGING AN INSULT AND MAINTAINING COMPASSION

During breakfast after Sunday morning service, Paulus was upset by sarcasms and insulting remarks made  by Yudas.

Yudas  said to Paulus: “You’ve no right teaching others .....I know you are a redeemed soul ..”

Paulus replied calmly: "Tell me Yudas, if you buy a gift for someone, and that someone does not take it to whom does the gift belongs?"

Yudas had a shock treatment being answered through such a strange question.  He replied: "It belong to me ... because I bought the gift ...."

Paulus said, "Congratulation pangan (friend). Your answer is absolutely correct. And it is the same with your sarcasms and insulting remarks thrown at me freely. I do not get insulted a bit. Your sarcasms and insulting remarks belong to you and fall back on you because I don't take them .... You are the one who becomes insulted and unhappy now, not me. What you’ve done is reaping your insults and hurt yourself.”

Moral of the story

If we want to stop hurting ourselves, we must get rid of our angers and become loving instead.  When we hate others, we ourselves become insulted and unhappy. But when we are forgiving and love others, everyone is happy... It is building “His kingdom come on earth”. AMEN

Quotable quote:

“If we are right then there is no need to get angry. If we are wrong then ywe don't have any right to get angry!”

A VIEW

 Quoted from Ex-Tanjong Group Forum (Fri, Nov 4, 2011 )

(1)   “In chemistry, we learn that extreme cold burns just as badly as does extreme heat.  I believe extremism (in any religion) can easily blur that thin line separating love and hate.  It can also cause one to mistake illusion for reality.  I learn to appreciate how Richard the Lion Heart could be motivated and influenced - from last few days' exchanges of religious views.  Frankly, it scares the living daylight out of me. I sincerely hope that nobody else (besides Rev. Camping) in the human race believes he/she is capable of knowing that date...

A person who believes, without reservation, in God sees God in everything ...A person who does not believe in God sees no God in anything ...A (Steve) Job-like person may see God in something ... Fortunately, or unfortunately, Rev. Camping "miscalculated", or we could have found out, first hand, on 21-OCT-2011...”

(2)  ‘A religious zealot and a false prophet of dooms’ is a fitting description of Rev. Harold Camping...

   Rev. Harold Camping typified a living example of people in position of influence in our modern time making use of religions, politics, economic.... to practice cultures of fear and deceptions for the purpose of soliciting supports, recognitions.....by exchanging truths for lies.”

One day the bubbles of religious, political, economic ... lies will explode.... intolerance, suppressions and legalism are signs.  

“DO YOU THINK THAT I’LL EVER FIND GOD?"

 A Story Worth Sharing

Ribai was a student of theology.  The professor who taught the subject of FAITH noted and assumed Ribai’s shabby appearance and hair-style were nothing more than just common fashions of the time. The professor reminded himself within of the proverbial phrases:  “DON’T   JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER” and “it is not what is ON his head BUT what is IN it that counts”.

Soon the professor found out “who” Ribai was (an atheist) as he persistently laughed and mocked about the spiritual truth of Father-God’s unconditional love and Trinitarian.

"Prof. Do you think I'll ever find God?" Ribai cynically said to the professor on the last day during the class on Theology of Faith.

With a little shock therapy Professor replied. "NO!" 

Ribai replied empathically: "Why not?"  

Professor said: “Ribai, I don't think you'll ever find Him. But I’m absolutely certain GOD SHALL FIND YOU!”

Some years after the graduation, Ribai called to drop by to see the professor. When Ribai entered his office, the professor noticed Ribai’s body was very badly wasted. He was ‘bald-head’. His long hair had all fallen out due to chemotherapy treatment, but his eyes were bright and his voice was firm.

Ribai said: “I’ve been very sick ...with lung cancer ... it is now a matter of time ....”

The professor asked: “Tell me what it is like throughout your illness... especially so when you know that you‘re going to leave this world very soon.....”

With deep sigh of regret Ribai said tearfully: “Well.... being just over fifty  (years) I’ve no values or ideals than thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real biggies in life... In fact my coming to drop by to see you to tell you the GOSPEL TRUTH ...You answered me ‘NO’ when I asked you ‘IF I WOULD EVER FIND GOD’.... and to which you also added: ‘GOD WOULD FIND ME’ ... I thought intensely about that ...and the purpose of life in this world........"

The professor asked: “Ribai ! Have you found the purpose(s) in your life?”.

Ribai replied: “With my sufferings and pains from the illusions and frustrations generated by worldly pleasures ...and with malignant cancer, I grew serious about locating God’s presence.... I banged my fists against the ‘bronze doors of heaven’ .......God did not come out. I just quit... I didn't care to find God and what would be life after death. I  DECIDED to spend my remaining time doing something more profitable on remembering what you said in one of the classes: ‘The essential sadness is to go through life without loving’. I also found out that ‘it would be equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them’.....”

In his keenness to know more, the professor asked: “What did you do then...?”

Ribai continued: “I began with the hardest task by asking my father if he could sacrifice his newspaper-reading time to talk with me ... I said him that I wanted him to know that I love him...nad I asked him to forgive me for all the hurts and shames I cause him....The newspaper he held fluttered to the floor...

He cried and hugged me.. forgiving..reconciling... saying real nice things to each other....We talked all night in spite of his early tiredness to take rest and refresh for work early in the morning.... It was easier with my mother and even much easier with my little brother and sister....I shared the things I’d been keeping secret for so many years...I was only sorry about one thing that I had waited so long..... It was the beginning of my turnaround day. Though I couldn’t see Him the most important thing for me was that in time of need God was near me. I could experience His engulfing and consoling presence of love...forgiveness, and reconciliation...

GOD FOUND ME WHEN I STOPPED LOOKING FOR HIM... Some of the verses from the Bible came to me lively in meanings for example the Apostle John said that...He said: "God is love, and anyone who lives in love is   living with God and God is living in him.''

The professor was deeply touched and requested Ribai to testify to new students in his theological class of faith to which Ribai gladly agreed. Just one day before the scheduled testimony, the professor was asked to visit Ribai in the hospital.

Surrounded by his parents and siblings, Ribai said faintly: “Prof ... I’m very sorry ... I may not make it to testify in your class as scheduled tomorrow... ... I know for sure now that Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life... I’m leaving to be with Him....Will you tell your students and the church how my FAITH guided me to God’s loving and forgiving presence and how I found life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.”

.

Ribai made the great step forward from FAITH into VISION.

********************