"EAGLE-CHRISTIANS"

1.  THEME

(13th GBKJIM -2011 -  Zone Sarikei on 16-18 Sep. 2011)

“But those who wait for (hope on) the Lord shall renew their strength;  they shall mount up with wings like eagles,  they shall run and not become weary,  they shall walk and not faint”. Isaiah 40:3

2.  OBJECTIVES

2.1 To understand the theme (meanings) of Isaiah 40:31

2.2 To internalize the theme by making it as a part of Christians’      walk or discipline.

3.  PURPOSES

3.1 To explain and illustrate the meanings of “waiting” and “hoping” as key in the process (or “how-to”) in re-gaining spiritual strength (spiritual renewal), hence for the ability to “mount on wings like eagles ....”

3.2 To emphasize the importance of spiritual renewal in order to be  effective as salt and light of the world (Matt. 5. 13-16) in the businesses of the kingdom building. (Matt. 28:19-20)

3.3 To examine or study the life-styles and characteristics of an  “Eagle” representative of the desired Characteristics, hence the necessary Qualities of Christians’ Leadership (as individuals and/or groups) in creating an impactful church.

4.   EAGLES IN THE BIBLE

4.1 Eagles mentioned 34 times throughout the Bible to explain God’s   power of deliverance and His caring nature for believers.

4.2  In Isaiah 40:32, the strengths of eagles are being used figuratively to describe and explain the state of believers’ spiritual strength (also physical conditions) after “waiting” (or “hoping”) in the Lord”.

Results: (i) “...shall gain new strength...”; (ii) “....shall mount on wings like eagles...”; and (iii) “...shall run and not be weary”; and (iv) shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 mentions two things - STRENGTH & its ATTRIBUTES 

(i)       Strength (we need) is renewable by “waiting” and “hoping” in the eternal source who is God.

(ii)     Attributes of strength: (a) Strength of the wings of eagles that lift high above the earth; (b) Strength necessary for running without becoming weary; and (c) Strength is necessary to walk without becoming faint.

5.    LIFE-STYLES or CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EAGLE 

5.1 FIVE  Characteristics of eagles

(1) VISIONARY - Eagle's eyes can see great distances (>5km).   Stay focus on preys. Swooping with speed and precision on targets. Not blinded by direct sun rays. Like the eagle, Christian leaders must be visionary – ability to see great distances to stay focused on goals to achieve the desired results in leading and guiding church and team members. 

(2) FEED ON FRESH MEAT - Eagles hunt their

      preys and do not eat meat that they did not kill – (not scavenger -strict with their diets). Likewise, Christian leaders must go (hunt) where the actions are in the marketplaces to find people to plant and nurture the seeds in the kingdom-building. They also must “hunt” for fresh and authentic spiritual food from the Bible.

(3) AIRBORNE AGILITY- Eagles love and look forward to fly in storms – mounting on their wings and with a great cry against the powerful up-drifts of the storm wind to   fly to greater height above the clouds. Christian leaders must be over-comers by learning and  taking the opportunity (from experiences) and use the “storms” (problems or challenges) in life to raise high abov the “storms”.

(4) GENTLE & ATTENTATIVE – Though known for their ferocity, yet eagles are gently and attentive to their eaglets. At the right time, mother-eagles start to teach their eaglets how to fly.                    (Explanation)

(5) MOLTING – Biological process- Yearly some feathers of an eagle come-off and new feathers grow in place. Process and waiting period are painful. This is “חרת charath” and “kalak” in Hebrew. Eagle-Christians also go through similar process of WAITING (קוה qâvâh).

5.2  Examine or study the life-styles and characteristics of an “Eagle” representative of the desired Characteristics, hence for the Qualities of Christians’ Leadership (as individuals and/or groups) in creating an impactful (or effective) church.

ELABORATE - INTERNALIZE - Make the verse to become motivational pattern or discipline in our Christian-walks so that we become “Eagle-Christians”

6.   HOW-TO-PROCESS

6.1 To wait (or waiting) implies two things:

(i) Subject of waiting relates to places and time during the waiting

 (ii) Object of waiting relates to the expectations   (or hope) from waiting 

(iii)Understand the meanings of Hebrew word:  קוה qâvâh translated into English word “wait” in Isaiah 40:31. It means more than just hanging   around and passing time while doing nothing.                                

 (a)The FIRST interpretative definition actually conveys the idea of “to twist or intertwined like a rope”- Gathered or brought together into oneness.  Literal translation of קוה qâvâh implies the strength through numbers.

Illustrations: Rope-making & Brick-gathering

(b) The SECOND interpretative definition for the Hebrew word qavah implies “to be strong, robust” as in the notion of tying fast with a rope.

(c)   The THIRD interpretive definition imparts the idea of “enduring, waiting for or expecting with strength.” (i) Psalm 25:21-“Let integrity and uprightness preserve me: for I wait for You.”and (ii) Psalm 37:34 -“Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and he will exalt you to inherit

       the land ....”

(d)  “Waiting on the Lord” does not imply passivity that believer sits around, doing nothing, and still hopes that his personal prophetic words will come to pass in his life.

(e)   “Waiting on the Lord” (as in Isaiah 40:31) means winding and weaving ourselves around the true vine (Jesus) so that like a rope, we will be strengthened and renewed to receive the promises offered by the prophetic words which say:  “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and It will be done for you.” (John 15:7)

Figurative meaning of קוה qâvâh is: “to wait”; “to hope”; and “to expect”. The word (qâvâh) conveys the idea of anticipation. Thus, it is the figurative meanings of qâvâh as explained in sub-paras: (i); (ii); and (iii) above are more applicable rather than the literal definition.

Further explanations

(1) It is noted that strength of a rope comes from strands or fibres twisted together. While the rope is not in used, the rope is said to be:  “in waiting” and its strength remains constant - waiting for the owner (user) to put to use.

(2) The up-lifting strength or power of the rope is tested when the rope is attached or tightened to a load. The strength of the rope comes from the intertwining fibres and strands to  uplift the load.

(3) The Hebrew word (קוה qâvâh) describes a vine or a plant that is twined together in the Lord, like the ropes that are twined together until it becomes one solid rope. That is the fullness of the word waiting and not just coming to together serve Him.

(4) To “wait” or “hope” or קוה qâvâh also means accepting God’s methods to transform, abolish, change and free us from our bad and idolatry habits (Isa. 2:18 ). God removes; breaks; and cleanses us from all those unclean things in our lives. Some need to be up-rotted and hammered (crushed) as we qâvâh upon Him. This waiting-process of spiritual renewal (removing;breaking;cleansesing; up-rotting; hammering; and crushing) are “charath” in spiritual reinforcement.

(5) To “wait” or “hope” or קוה qâvâh also includes renewal process called   “kalak” or change which involves exchanging of our human strength for God’s strength. When we do so - we shall run and never be weary because we קוה qâvâh with God and His strength never runs out.

6.1 Application - Like the strength of a rope comes from multiple of strands being intertwined or twisted together, so also our strength קוה qâvâh - being “bound together’ and “abide in Jesus”  (Matt. Chapter15). To abide in Jesus means connected with God – who renews and empowers us with His strength like eagles....

6.2  Impartation - A Technical Illustration - A motor vehicle must be driven to a petrol station and/or a car service station. The engine has to be switched off during refuelling or servicing and/or changing of parts after running and reaching certain thousand kilometres in distance. One point need to be distinguished is that  Spiritual Renewal is more than car-servicing.  Like  a "car", we also need to "be still"  and listen to God (stay connected with God) while “waitng” and “hoping” for the in-filling of God's power to re-new our spiritual strength

6.3 Internalization of Isaiah 40:31 includes the following activities.

(i) Keep focus on God (Heb.12:3)

(ii) Study the Bible (Psalm 119:11 / 2 Tim. 2:15)

(iii) Pray daily (1 Thes. 5:17)

(iv) Attend church regularly (Heb.10:25)

(v) Learn from Christians friends (Prov. 13:20)

(vi)Tell others about your faith in Jesus Christ(Mark 16:15)

(vii) Renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:2)

7.    CONCLUSION

Paraphrasing of Isaiah 40:31 

(1) Those who have their lives intertwined with the Lord, like strands of fibres twisted together into rope, shall renew their spiritual strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not become weary they shall walk and not become faint.

(2) God is talking about His divine strength. Literally Isaiah 40:31 means: “They who keep on trusting the Lord shall “kalak” (or exchange) their human strength for God’s divine strength.”(3) When we say, “Lord, I can’t do it,” the Lord answers: “I will solve the problem, I will give you the strength, I will provide everything necessary for you to meet this difficult problem in your life.” 

    This exchange of human strength for divine strength can only happen when we stop trusting our own human strength.  

(4) This verse says, “The power of God does not come in fits  and starts, it does not come in spurts and stops; The Power  of God is a steady, continuous energy  which is not dependent upon emotion, rationalism or anything else. It  depends upon believing the Word of God! Waiting on the  Lord, habitual waiting on the Lord.”

Gempuru Besai Kristin Jaku Iban Malaysia (GBKJIM)

Defining Moment In My Renewed Spiritual Journey

The 13^th Gempuru Besai Kristin Jaku Iban Malaysia (GBKJIM) – Zone Sarikei [Assembly of Malaysian-Iban-Speaking-Christians for Sarikei Zone] was organized (according turn) by Life Baptist Church (LBC) Sarikei from 16^th until 18^th September 2011 under chairmanship of brother Pastor Jackson Sunatai (who I met for the first time during 10-Days Haggai National Conference held in Santubong Resort Kuching in September 2009). The main event was  the Youth Seminar with the theme taken from Isaiah 40:31 which says:  “...Ngerembaika Sayap Baka Menaul...” or “...Mount on Wings Like Eagles...”).

I “landed” into the seminar because of personal invitation extended to me by brother Pastor Bajau Anak Biju (of Emmanuel Bapstist Church -EBC Kuching) to be his co-speaker and co-minister throughout the seminar and also during the two nights teaching sessions. The two functions were attended by some 100 to 150 participants including adults. The youths were mainly from four churches in Sarikei namely: LBC, SIB Church, Hope Church and Anglican Church. The event kicked-off very lively with music-dances/tambourines/hand-clapping/flag-waving and shofar-blowing during  “hosanna-singing-marching-in” staged by all participants as the crowd walked graciously into LBC hall prior to teaching session on the night of 16^th September 2011. The teaching topic was about: “Creating an Impactful Church” (Matt. 5:13-20) while the seminar topic was about: “Becoming and Being ‘Eagles Christians’” (Isaiah 40:31).

That evening on 16^th September 2011 was the Defining Moment in My Renewed Spiritual Journey and Personal Ministry which I call it: “Networking-for-Christ”. What made the evening and date the defining moment to me? Three reasons.

(1)  It was my first time to speak about the words of God in church since 20 years ago when I had to leave Kuching for job-relocation in KL between mid 1990 until early 2010.  

(2)  The time and date also defined my personal roles as layman Christian in the business of “Thine Kingdom Come”. On the denominational side, my constant desire is to continue serving my home-church faithfully within in the areas of mission & evangelism ministry of St. Faith’s Church. On the non-denominational side, my "new" desire  is to pursue networking together (or קוה qâvâh) with individuals and/or groups of Christ-focused believers outside irrespective of church denominations and traditions in the fields.

(3)  Pastor Jackson Luat (of Hope Church) said he was personally touched and encouraged by the “uniqueness in the side-by-side speaking arrangement” through seeing and hearing two speakers from two different denominations (one was from charismatic-line  EBC - in the person of Pastor Bajau, while the other one was from traditional main-line Anglican Church – who was me) stood side-by-side and spoke jointly (or in pair) on the same theme and topic throughout the teaching and seminar sessions.

In his own words, Pastor Jackson Luat said what God did was showing him a new “working-together-dimension” - that the “uniqueness in the side-by-side speaking arrangement” was a new “milestone of encouragement” for the local Iban-Speaking-Christians of different denominations in Sarikei to emulate - coming and working together in union for the glory of God.

 COMMENTS

I believe that God is also in the business of encouraging and drawing believers to network and come together (or קוה qâvâh) as “One-in-Christ” outside the framework of our respective denominational identities.

As part of knowledge-sharing and spiritual enrichment, I will post notes on points and thoughts (later) for those who are interested in the two topics namely:

(i) Creating an Impactful Church

(ii) Becoming and Being “Eagle-Christians”

Have a blessed day.

THE BRIDGE BUILDER

Dear Readers,

I’m sharing the story below which was posted to my e-mail.

May you find the story spiritually comforting as well as faith-strengthening

 GOD BLESS!! - histruths

The Carpenter – THE BRIDGE BUILDER

Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labour and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference and finally, it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I 'm looking for a few days' work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbour. In fact, it's my younger brother! Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us.  Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day -- measuring, sawing and nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.

It was a bridge.. A bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the neighbour, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched..

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done."

The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build."

 

Remember This......

God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but He'll ask how many people you helped get where they needed to go. 

God won't ask the square footage of your house, but He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home. 

God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, but He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.  

God won't ask how many friends you had, but He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend. 

God won't ask in what neighbourhood you lived, but He'll ask how you treated your neighbours. 

God won't ask about the colour of your skin, but He'll ask about the content of your character.

KASHRUT

PLEASE READ -  http://www.onepakkopi.blogspot.com/

God bless !

GENESIS

GENESIS 1

Below is a dialogue between members during prayer meeting. The names mentioned are fictitious and do not particularize any person either living or dead.

Bilat : “After last Sunday morning service, one of our church members commented we are no longer under the Old Covenant (referring to era of the Old Testament ) but under the New Covenant (referring to era of the New Testament ). As such, it is not really relevant for Christians to read the Old Testament...the New Testament is sufficient because Christianity is all about Christ’s redemptive mission.”

Uziat : “ I’ve also heard someone made similar remarks sometime ago .....How do we make our church members understand the importance of membaca Perjanjian Lama (Old Testament) selaras dengan Perjanjian Baru (New Testament).....”

Eliat : “If any Christian or any particular church denomination say that is so, the teaching is incomplete and not right. Because the Bible is made up of two main books: The Old and New Testament. To understand and appreciate God’s creation and plan in proper contexts and perspectives, we must read both ....Tampa Perjanjian Lama maka Perjanjian Baru tidak  wujud......”

Manat: “ I agree with Eliat..... For me, I’m inclined to look at the issue between the two books in its shortest summary or form. The Old Testament is about JESUS CONCEALED and the New Testament is about JESUS REVEALED...”

Ideat : “ We can discuss, argue and debate the matter endlessly... not even until the cow come home ... What is imperative for us now is to start reading and meditating on the first chapter of the first book in the Old testament which is Genesis..... Let me try to explain the importance of Genesis. You’re free to agree ... disagree ... All can chip-in ...after all we’re just ordinary believers without any theological training..."

Uziat : “We pray to ask God’s Holy Spirit to come as our Helper ...Remember God’s promise in Jeremiah 33:3 – God said: ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you ....’ Let’s call upon Him as we sing ‘Come Holy Spirit ...’ prayerfully.’

Manat : “Let me just say something before Ideat begins to share  ... To me the OT can be likened to the beginning part of a movie, and the NT is the last part and end of the movie ... Just to see the last and ending part of the movie doesn’t put the Bible in context and right perspective...”

Ideat: “Manat is right ... ‘Genesis’ means ‘beginnings’ or ‘origins’. Genesis introduces God. I think that it is quite helpful to explain ‘Genesis’ in terms its purposes below.

 (a) Genesis unfolds the records of beginning of the world, of human history, of family (Abraham as father of multitude of nations), of civilization......

(b) Genesis is an account or a story of God’s purpose and plan for His creation.

(c) Genesis sets the stage for the entire Bible until Revelation.

(d) Genesis reveals the person and nature of God - Creator, Sustainer, Judge and Redeemer.

(e) Genesis reveals the value of dignity of human beings - made in the image of God (Gen.1:26) - saved by His grace (Eph.2:8-10), used by God in the world (Gen.1:28-29).

(f) Genesis tells the tragedy and consequences of sin.  The Fall - Adam & Eve, Separation from God, and Judgement.

(h) Genesis speaks about God’s promise and assurance of salvation (through faith) – Covenant (Abraham & believers), Forgiveness, and the promised Yeshua al-Messiah (Jesus the Christ).

(i) Genesis proves God’s faithfulness using ordinary people of faith to do great things

     (Isaac, Jacob, Joseph ...)

We’ll understand better about God, as we read Genesis which has 50 chapters. To start with we read Chapter 1 – God’s story of the great Creation."

Ideat: “Can any one of us identify any particular verse or verses out of the 31 verses, which stand-out according to our respective understandings....”

Bilat: “I see verse 26 as the most outstanding ....which says: ‘Then God said: Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping things that creeps on the earth.’ In other words, God creates human beings as masters and rulers of planet earth.”

Uziat: “What makes the verse most outstanding .....?”

Manat: “The verse speaks of two things (i) we (human beings) are created in the image of God, and (ii) we are given authority to rule over living creatures..It is a reason why God created man last on the sixth day....”

Eliat: “What is really meant by ‘created in God’s image’? Is it the physical image of God? What about someone who is born with physical infirmity or deformity- is he/she not created the image of God? In this, I see God has no physical image. So it follows that man’s likeness of God is not physical in the first instance – but spiritual. Why did God make the second part of man in the physical body or form using His hands?" 

Uziat: “I agree with Eliat.. I see the logic why God gave Adam (hence all mankind) the physical body. Because it takes the physical body to rule the physical world ....When we read onward in Chapter 2, verse 7 says: The Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breath into his nostril the breath of life  (to live in the physical world), and so man became living physical being (on earth).’ .... God-given breath of life (= life to live in the physical world) is given in through our nostrils.

The very minute we stop breathing (or the last in-and-out breath) through the nostrils, that is when the physical body cease to live and start decaying into dust (Gen.3:19...Till you return to the ground. Because from it you are taken: For your are dust, And to dust you shall return”). That is a reason to believe that the spirits or souls of the departed leave the physical bodies to return to God-created spiritual worlds.....heaven or hell depending on the lives ones live while on planet earth.”

Bilat: “It is getting very interesting... first we’re spiritual beings (the spiritual images of God) before we become physical or human beings to inhabit and rule the physical world.....To live in this world – ‘Man shall not live on by bread alone (=food for our physical bodies available from the physical world), but on every word that proceed out from mouth of God’ (=God-breatged words as spiritual food for the spiritual part of our beings -available from written and readable in the Bible.)’ -Matthew4:4".

Manat: “From the discussion so far, we can answer three emerging questions: (i) Who am I ? I’m God-created spiritual human being; (ii) Why am I here (spiiritually and physically in planet earth)? Because of God’s spiritual and physical plan and purposes for human-kinds to inhabit and rule planet earth; and (iii) Where am I going? The physical body is going to die and decay but the spiritual part is going to one of God-created spiritual worlds – Which one? Heeeee...’

Eliat: ‘For believers in Jesus Christ ... no worry lah...there is hope of eternity with God for Jesus said: ’I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one come to the Father (God), but through Me.’(John 14:6). Jesus also assures believers saying; ‘I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies.’ (John 11:25). God sets eternity in the heart of man. This we can read in Ecclesiastes 3:11-22)”

Ideat: “I think we’ve more than enough to chew for the time being.  When we meet again we’ll discuss further...particularly on the order of God’s creation and part of God’s genetic engineering....Read Genesis and be encouraged!”

IF MEN ARE SO WICKED AND CARELESS WITH RELIGION, WHAT WOULD THEY BE WITHOUT ONE?

If men are so wicked and careless with religion, what would they be without one?

Readable in http://www.aonepakkopi.blogspot.com/