2020-03-27

What is the Gospel of Grace?

Tim Keller's Book on Psalms, "My Rock My Refuge", Ps 69:7-12, says:

"The world does not understand this gospel of grace in which holy living is the result of humble, grateful joy, not a way to earn heaven... by living lives of humility, forgiveness, and sacrificial service to others."

There is no need for us to earn our way to heaven because we are already registered there.
  • (Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT) 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.)
But we are to live out this new life of humility, grateful joy, forgiveness, and services to others because:
  • 2 Cor 5:20 NLV So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!
  • 2 Corinthians 3:3 NLV You show that you are a (living) letter from Christ,... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts

2020-03-18

A Psalm of Protection Against the Coronavirus - Not Ps 91

Psalm 91 is the key Psalm of protection for this time of Coronavirus Pandemic. Please read and meditate on it to keep our peace and enjoyed this protection from our loving God. But there is another Psalm, 68:19-21, that is even more specific to this crown-shaped virus.

Psalm 68:19-21 New International Version (NIV)

19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
    who daily bears our burdens.
20 Our God is a God who saves;
    from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
21 Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies,
    the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.
Firstly, the Lord bears our daily burden. It is never once off. It is continuous. It is renewed every morning.

Lamentations 3:22-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a]
    his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
Secondly, God saves us from death. The Lord will crush this deadly crown-like coronavirus for us. He is our loving and faithful God.

Here is a good message from Joseph Prince about what we should during this time:

7 Things God Wants You To Know During This Virus Attack | Joseph Prince

1. Don't be Afraid - Fear Not Gen 15:1
2. Refresh yourself with His Love John 17:23
3. Trust in His Faithfulness 2Thes 3:3
It is not you holding on to God but God holding you.
It is not your faithfulness but His faithfulness
4. Be at Rest (in God) Ps 91:1
5. Be led by the spirit, not motivated by fear.
Joseph & Mary led by Angel to go to Egypt Mat 2:13
6. Keep your focus on Jesus. "The Great I am..." & "Let's talk about Jesus"
7. Death has no hold on you. Rom 5:17 Righteousness as a gift to us

May the Lord bless you and keep you and give you peace. (Num 6:24-26).
May you be His light and testimony in this challenging period.

Lim Liat(c) 18 Mar 2020