Is God fair? Why should we suffered because of Adam's Sin?

When one of our loved ones passed away, or when we get sick and suffer much, we would like to question God's fairness. Why should we suffer because of Adam's sin? If only Adam sinned not, we will all be having a great time in heaven instead of suffering here on earth.

The first answer we get is, "It is not about fairness, life is about facing the reality, and life is not fair". Just accept the reality and try to make the very best out of it. Even the Bible says so. See Ecc 11:9  Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.  There is only one consideration, the judgment after dead. So, within the boundary, live life to the maximum is the advice.

How can we be sure that we can pass through the judgment of God? Religions have all kinds of ways to tell you how to do that. But none of them can be sure that they can pass God's judgment. Man creates special ways of accounting like an arithmetic formula, make sure your good works is greater than your sins in the final sum. Sometimes you can do arithmetic like in the case of stealing from a friend, you can try to compensate him more than what you take. However, many things could not be measured and weighted, such as emotional hurts, bodily harms, etc. How much is a life worth?

God's created universe works on orderliness such that our Science can discover the various Scientific Laws whereby we create lots of technologies that make our lives better and may be more dangerous. God's cannot violate His own laws not be unfaithful to Himself. God's original intention was not for men to suffer nor die. But our ancestors sinned and we carried over their sins to the present. However, God's original plan is not defeated. God, Himself provides a way of escape and restoration for men. In fact, restoring men to a much much better state than our ancestors. Let's look at the Bible verses:

• Rom 5:17  For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 
• Rom 5:18  Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 

So, God is fair when He provides a way whereby men can be restored back to God. God is more than fair when the restoration is much more than the original men's state. 

The righteousness is a free gift that men did nothing to gain. It is all done by Jesus Christ. All we need to do is to accept this free gift.

Adam was created in the image of God. Through Jesus, men now can become children of God. We become of God and God's nature is in us. A much higher and honorable state than Adam's. 

• Rom_8:16  The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
• Rom_8:21  that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
• 1Jn_3:1  See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

The unfair thing is then ourselves. We will be unfair to ourselves if we refuse this free gift of righteousness from God through Jesus Christ.  Choose life, choose freedom, choose righteousness, choose eternal life... receive Jesus as the Son of God to bring us into His family as we become children of His.

Lim Liat (c) 11 May 2017

On God's Mission - The Path, the Warnings & the Blessings

When we are led by God to start a new work, here are some assurances and guides that we must follow. Distraction, losing focus, deviation from original goals are dangers to watch out for. There are blessings despite the challenges throughout and an eventual home.

Bible Reference: Exodus 23:20-33

Here is the mindmap of the passage:


1. The Right Path to Take:

• God goes before you. God sent His angels to prepare the way for you.
• Listen Carefully.
• Obey His instructions.
• Success is assured. Lose not hope when we encounter challenges and obstacles.
• Incremental Changes. Changes happening one step at a time enables us to learn. Trust God in His timing. He is never too late nor too slow. We need to be patience. The slow progress is actually for our benefits.
• Your Promised Home. We shall accomplish the work that the Lord has given to us.

2. The Danger to Watch out for:

• Lose Not Your Focus on God. It is easy to be distracted.
• Be Faithful to God. Forget not the original mission. There are difficulties to cause us to lose hope. There are complexities to confuse us. There are temptations, seemingly good things, to attract us away from God.
• Be Faithful to God Only. Trust God no matter what. 
• Keep going with the original mission. Methods may change but the objective remains. We need to adapt to the situations we face. But keep the objectives and follow the righteous Words of God.

3. The Blessings Accompanying Us all the Way:

• God will be an enemy to our enemies.
• God will bless our bread and our water,
• God will take sickness away from among us.
• None shall miscarry or be barren in our land;
• God will fulfill the number of our days.
• God will send terror before us and confuse our enemy and make them run away.
• God will send hornets before us, which shall drive out the enemies. 

Be encouraged in your work for the Lord.

• Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
• Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Lim Liat (c) 10 May 2017

You are in the Great Union of God filled with His Love to Show the World

Jesus' prayer recorded in John 17 is most amazing. Here the part that speaks of our oneness with God.

• Joh 17:20  “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 
• We, who believe in His disciples' words of Jesus, are included in Jesus' prayer. 
• Joh 17:21  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 
• We are to be One, as close as Jesus and the Father. 
• Jesus and the Father are in each other, totally immersed in each other. We are to be like that.
• Our Oneness becomes the testimony that Jesus is from God! Jesus said it earlier in:
• John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you: that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples: if ye have love one for another.”
• Our love for one another, our oneness, is the key for people to know we are Christ's.
• There is more....
• Joh 17:22  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 
• We have this glory that the Father had given to Jesus because Jesus had passed it to us.
• This glory enables us to be one. Our oneness also gives forth this glory that attracts attention. 
• Joh 17:23  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 
• We all become perfectly one because Christ, the Father and we are all together in a union!
• The triune God is the perfect union of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And now the Son brings us into this union with them. This is really amazing. We are in and of God and God is in us too. 
• As a side note, love about the relationship between at least two separate identities. If God is just alone, how does He know about love? Because our God is a trinity, a perfect union of three personalities, we know God is Love.
• Jesus emphasized this perfect love also includes us. The Father love us as much as He loves Jesus. 
• This oneness of us with God is not easy to understand and grasp. Even Paul tried very hard to explain it and yet still not as close as what Jesus prayed. Paul said Jesus is the Head of the Body. The body that is made up of His church. In Ephesians, he uses the metaphor of a building.
• Eph 2:18  For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Eph 2:19  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Eph 2:20  built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, Eph 2:21  in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Eph 2:22  In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. 

We are so loved by the Father that He is willing to be in union with us, with His Son and the Holy Spirit. His glory is given to us. We are to live out this unity and glory so that the world may come to know Him. Speak of His love for us. Show forth His glory and power for us. Be joyful. Be helpful. Be hopeful. We are a different kind of people, of God's kind.

May we spend time meditating on this Oneness with God.

Lim Liat (c) 9 May 2017

Manage Your Emotion to Good Health

Our emotions and our thoughts affect our health. Here is a teaching from Proverbs 14:30

• (ASV)  A tranquil heart is the life of the flesh, But envy is the rottenness of the bones.
• (NLT)  A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
• (ERV)  Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but jealousy is like a cancer.
• (CEV)  It's healthy to be content, but envy can eat you up.
• (Brenton)  A meek-spirited man is a healer of the heart: but a sensitive heart is a corruption of the bones.

A heart that is at peace and contented leads to good health. It gives life to the body.

A heart that is disturbed, especially, of jealousy, is extremely dangerous as it gives rise to the rottenness of the bones, which many modern translations use the fatal sickness called cancer instead. A doctor thinks otherwise, she considers rottenness of the bones as osteoporosis. The cancerous one in: 

• Proverbs 17:22: A cheerful heart is a good medicine, But a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

A broken spirit, a spirit of depression, self-condemnation, suicidal, have many causes such as being abused emotionally, verbally, physically, sexually or perfectionism.  

In addition, bitterness, anger, unforgiveness are call emotions that disrupt the heart and will lead to sickness.

The lesson learned is to accept ourselves as God has accepted and loved us. Focus on God's love for us. Putting our trust in God's providence and care for us. With the love and power of the Holy Spirit, we forgive others who had harmed or betrayed us. We are content with what the Lord had given and led us. We live the assured hope and joy that God will continue to lead, protect and promote us because we are His children of love. We focus on God and the needs of others, and less on ourselves. Be freed from the bondage of hurt, the needs to be like others, to take revenge, etc. Manage our emotions well. Don't take life too seriously. Have fun. God wants you to be happy and joyful. Trust Him to care for you and your future.

Lim Liat (c) 8 May 2017.

See also Your Healing Prescirption for Today

It is not the Quantity but the right Quality

The Most Important Lesson in life is "Choose right path First before you start running". Find the right question to ask before you give the answer. Else, you may living a life of regrets.

We take a look at Matthew 17:20. There are two groups of translation for this verse.

The Unbelief Group

(KJV)  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Also ABP, EMTV, ISV, JUB, LITV, Murdock, MKJV, Niobi SB,  Disciple Bible, Webster, YLT.

The Little Faith Group

(ASV)  And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Also BBE, CEV, CJB, CBr, ERV, ESV, GNB, NASB, NLT, RV, WNT etc

The key question is "Are both groups saying the same thing?"

My answer is not. "Unbelief" and "Little Faith" are not the same thing. Unbelief is "not even a little", it is nothing. A little faith is at least some belief.

If they are not the same, then which one is right?

Jesus told us the answer. Jesus said if you have faith (the right kind), even as little as a grain of mustard seed (which is very small, about the size of the period in a typical font 12 text), you can move a mountain. So it is not about the amount of faith, but of the right faith, the right belief.

Application:

The application of this wisdom. "not amount but the right kind" is very important. Before you start your journey, you must choose the right route, else, no matter how hard, how fast, how persistent you run, you are not going to get to the destination.

You must ask the right question first, else any of your answers will be wrong. So while you are busy doing your work you may want to pause and ask, "Are we solving the right problem?".

Find out the right thing to do first before you can do the right thing rightly.

All road leads to Roman is not a wise nor a correct statement. Not all the buses at your bus stop will bring you home. The truth is a narrow road in this sense that you must find out and choose rightly.

Joh 14:6  Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me. 

Choose wisely first before you start running.

See also Work Hard or Work Smart to be Successful? Let Sun Zi tells you.

Lim Liat (c) 5 May 2017

Believers, how to respond to your new heart?

All Believers Have a New Heart

In the Old Testament, there was a plan by God to put a new heart in men, in Jeremiah 31:33. The author of Hebrew referred to it again to confirm the fulfillment.

• “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer. 31:33; cf. Heb. 8:10).

He repeated it again, showing the importance.

• Hebrews 10:16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”

Hence, all believers in Jesus Christ will be rebirthed with a new heart that makes us very sensitive to right and wrong and the feelings of others. Some describe it as a sharpened conscience. What used to be OK in our past now become not OK! That is a sign of our rebirthed.

Paul puts in very positively as in:

• Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Responding to Our New Heart
James teaches us what we should do with our new heart in

• James 1:21 (ASV)  Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

With our new sense of right and wrong, the first part is to put away those behaviors that are obviously wrong. The second part is to learn and grow in the knowledge of our sonship and of God. The keywords are:

1. receive 
2. with meekness 
3. the implanted word, 
4. which is able to save your souls.

Every one of us has our own accumulated knowledge and wisdom when we receive Jesus. Now we are to humbly, with an open mind, to listen and learn the new things from the 'implanted' new heart. Our own mind needs to be transformed with the Word of God. The Word of God is able to rebirth us to begin a new kind of life as children of God for us, and also able to continue to save our souls, correcting our wrong thinking of the past and establishing us with the right thinking for our continual growth rightly.

Power of the Implanted Words

• Psa 107:20  He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. 

The new Words have power, to guide our thinking and also to heal our body. Right thinking brings right behavior and also health, wealth, and reputation too. Health, wealth, and reputation are not the things we sought for, but rather, are the by-products of our seeking and learning of the Lord. Our worship of God in spirit, soul, and body will bring such by-products as in Matthew 6:33 seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

Guard Our Mouth 

• Pro 13:3  Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 

It is not only what we take in, but also what we speak out that matter, because words have power as in Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

So we do both. Be careful as to what we receive, making sure we receive those that go through the filter of our new heart and also to speak out those that are filtered through our new heart. Then you shall be a good testimony for God as a shining light.

Lim Liat (c) 3 May 2017

Who are you, the believer?

Forget not where, what, who we are and our future too.

We may, at times, forgot about who we, the believers are.  Here are some verses to remind us.

Where are we now?
Col 1:13  He has delivered us
from the domain of darkness and
transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

We have moved! We are freed. From the bondage of darkness into His Kingdom of love, of light, of whatever Jesus is. To be doubly sure, Paul repeated twice, redemption first and forgiveness later. We can boldly, freely, and happily be in His Kingdom.

What we are now?
Paul did not stop at our forgiveness. He reminds us of our new state of holiness! Even under the eyes of God, we are blameless. We are above reproach. The devil cannot accuse us anymore. We need not and should not have a guilty conscience. All because Jesus had paid the price for us and clothe us with His righteousness.

Col 1:22  he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death,
in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

Romans 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Who are we now?
Col 1:27  To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Galatians 3:26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,

What is the future for us?
Col 1:27 ... Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.

Our future is the glory of Christ who is in us!

John Piper said that "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

We can be most satisfy when we know that God's glory will be revealed through us as well. God shares His glory with us.

Speak life and glory to yourself, to your spirit, soul, and body. May all the sickness or bodily weakness leave you. May your mind be clear and sharp with the wisdom of God. May your spirit to revitalized with energy, peace, and joy of the Lord. Be not downcast but lift up your head because we have the hope of glory in us.

So we are now in His Kingdom; we are righteous; we are His children, and we shall be glorified.

Lim Liat (c) 2 May 2017

The Make-up of A Believer

What is man made of? A typical answer is man is a spirit with a soul living in a body. What then, is the difference between a believer and a non-believer? Here is the answer.

What is man made of?

The common answer is that man is a tripartite being with a spirit, a soul and living in a body. Most people can't differentiate the soul and spirit and they are combined as one. The Chinese use the combination of 灵魂 spirit and soul to refer to a person. 心 heart, representing not just the heart but also of the mind is used to refer to the inner being of man.  But Word of God can differentiate spirit and soul as in Hebrews 4:12 (NET) For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart. ©NET

See The Tripartite Man and Salvation of Tripartite Man - The Details

So, we know a man has spirit, soul, and body.

So what is the difference between a believer and a non-believer?
The believer has the Christ in them whereas a non-believer does not.

Colossians 1:27 To them God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Jesus told us that in:

Joh 14:19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Our body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit:
1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Our Response should be:

• Rom 12:1  I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

We are to be a living, not a dead, sacrifice ---- i.e. putting God's first in our life and not ourselves. This is actually the first 4 commandments of the Ten-commandments.

• Rom 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Our past thinking and mindset need to be changed, re-oriented and transformed by the new knowledge of God and His love for us. Putting God as first is opposite to the old life of putting ourselves as first. We need to get to know God, His Love, His Will and His attributes. Let such new knowledge of God changes us. As we stay obedient to His Word and Will and will soon discover that His Will is indeed for our good.

Our living should be as Paul said the same thing in a different way in:

◄ Galatians 2:20 ►I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

So, the key difference between believers and non-believers is simple "Is Christ in You or Not?"

How should the life be different if there is a Christ within?

I need to move over and let Christ take charge. I need to draw from His strength and grace. Drawing comes from spending time with Him in worship, study, and sharing. This is how we build up our inner life. Jesus told us in another way, John 15:1-8 Vine & Fruits - Keys to Success.

Lim Liat (c) 1 May 2017

Update 4 Aug 2025

With the availability of Generative AI, we can get some good answers too. Here is from ChatGPT:

1. Body, Soul, and Spirit – A Biblical Framework

Some Scriptures suggest that we are a three-part being (tripartite):

"May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
—1 Thessalonians 5:23

So what’s the difference?

---

2. The Body

• What it is: Our physical form—what relates to the world through the five senses.
• Function: Enables interaction with the material world.
• Biblical role: It's a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), meant to be offered to God (Romans 12:1).

---

3. The Soul

• Greek word: psuchē (ψυχή) — where we get the word psyche.
• What it is: The seat of our mind, will, and emotions—your personality, thoughts, desires, and decisions.
• Function:
• Thinks (mind)
• Feels (emotions)
• Chooses (will)
• Biblical examples:
• Psalm 42:11 — “Why are you cast down, O my soul?”
• Matthew 26:38 — Jesus says, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow...”

---

4. The Spirit

• Greek word: pneuma (πνεῦμα)
• What it is: The innermost part of us that connects with God. This is what is "born again" (John 3:6) when we are saved.
• Function:
• Receives revelation, conviction, and communion with God.
• It’s God-conscious, while the soul is self-conscious, and the body is world-conscious.
• Biblical examples:
• Proverbs 20:27 — “The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord.”
• Romans 8:16 — “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

---

5. Soul vs. Spirit – Key Differences

Aspect	Soul	Spirit
Greek	psuchē	pneuma
Focus	Self	God
Functions	Think, feel, choose	Worship, discern, receive revelation
Connection	Personality, emotions	Spiritual life, connection to God
Can be	Troubled, wounded, restored	Dead or alive (separated or united with God)

---

6. Why This Matters Spiritually

• A person can be soulish but not spiritual—emotional, intelligent, and expressive but not born again.
• Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God divides soul and spirit, showing they are distinct.
• At salvation, our spirit is made alive (Ephesians 2:1), but our soul must be renewed daily (Romans 12:2), and our body is to be disciplined (1 Corinthians 9:27).

---

In Summary

• Body = Physical world interaction
• Soul = Personality, emotions, intellect, decisions
• Spirit = Connection with God, spiritual awareness

Jesus’ words in Matthew 4:4 remind us: Don’t live just from the soul and body—live from the spirit, nourished by God’s Word.

 

"Believe and Receive" is incomplete - Must Believe Rightly First

Many people are taught to believe and then to receive. There is an unstated condition that determines the outcome. It is basis for the belief must be true and right first. It should be reworded as "Believe rightly first to receive."

Believe and Receive?

The Word of Faith preachers likes to quote the following verses to justify "believe and receive". Just have faith and you shall get whatever you want.

• Mar 11:23  Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 
• Mar 11:24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 

Base on the above 2 verses, they come out with the simple rule of "Ask, Believe, Say, Receive, Done!" for effective prayers of faith. 

They have ignored the preceding verse:

• Mar 11:22  And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 
• The starting basis for the prayer is God. We must know God and His will first. We know God loves us and want the best for us. However, for most of us, we want to decide what is best for us and just want God to get it for us. God is God and He cannot be manipulated by us. God will grant and allow only whatever is good for us according to His unchanging attributes of love and righteousness. God will do the wrong things nor to do them wrongly just to satisfy our desires.

And also the subsequent verse:

• Mar 11:25  And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” 
• There is a condition here - forgiveness. If we have bitterness against someone in our heart, we must forgive them first to get the answers from God. 
• Many will testify about the power of forgiveness - healings come after they forgive. Unforgiveness is a hindrance to getting our prayers answered.

Increase our Faith!

Because our prayers do not work, many people will tell us that we lack faith. We need to increase our faith. That was exactly what the disciples asked Jesus to do.

• Luk 17:5  The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 
• Luk 17:6  And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 
• Jesus did not make His answer very explicitly. May be He wanted them to think deeply and to remember it well. It is not your faith that needs to be increased. It is whether you believe rightly. The basis of your faith must be right. Then, even a little of it will accomplish a great thing. The short answer is - it is not about increasing your faith but about believing in the right thing. Superstition is believing in a lie. Not matter how strongly you believe, you are not going to make the lie a truth. If you believe the truth, it will work irrespective of your amount of faith. All the scientific laws work wonders for us without any of our faith.

The Basis of Our Faith in Christ's Completed Work

• Gal 3:13  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 
• Gal 3:14  so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
• The blessing of Abraham is no longer exclusive but is open to all who are willing to receive Jesus by faith.

 Don't Blame God for Our Sins - Temptation & Sin

• Jas 1:13  Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 
• Jas 1:14  But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 
• Jas 1:15  Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death. 

Check Our Motives First

• Jas 4:2  You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 
• Jas 4:3  You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 

Summary

When we don't receive the answers to our prayers, we don't try to believe more, to increase our faith, but rather to examine the basis of our faith, the promises of God, the will of God, and check our motives and also to check the hindrances, one of which is unforgiveness. Again, we can easily forgive by our own power. We invite the Holy Spirit to enable us to do that. We cast our cares upon Him. We meditate on His love for us. If we really want to increase our faith, we should ask to increase our trust in His love for us. May we see and taste the goodness of God and put our trust in Him in all that we ask.

Lim Liat (c) 28 Apr 2017

Your Protection in this Uncertain World

In this world of uncertainties, you need an anchor to give you the direction and the rock of ages for your protection. Read and meditate on Ps 91 with the righteousness given by Christ in 1 Cor 1:30 and the promise of life in Proverb 12:28. Be at peace and be filled with the joy of and because of the Lord.

Your Protection Against Anything and Everything - Psalm 91

The business people coined the term VUCA to describe the uncertainties in the world. VUCA stands for Volatility,  Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. I would just add another D for Deception. The acts of terrorism and the fragile global monetary systems will give anyone nightmares and worries unless one has something that is unshakable. That unshakable foundation is the Lord Jesus Christ and here are the promises given in Ps 91. Just to highlight a few verses below for your meditation and application into your life.

• Psa 91:10  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 
• Psa 91:11  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Here is the bonus, a mindmap of Psalm 91 that I shared quite some time ago:

The Basis for Our Assurance:

1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

The Outcome of Righteousness:

Pro 12:28  In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Conclusion:

Be at peace and be filled with the joy of and because of the Lord. If you are not at peace, read Psalm 91 again or go through the above mindmap carefully.

Lim Liat (c) 27 Apr 2017

Your Life Expectancy 120 or 80?

Your life expectancy is not 70 nor 80 but should be 120 and that is according to the Bible. Even so, it is more important to know how to live well.

What is our life expectancy?

Many of us will say it is 70 and at most 80, quoting

• Psa 90:10  The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. 

But it is wrong if you read the verse in its context. The whole psalm 90 is about the short-life under the wrath of God. We are called to live it, though short, meaningfully. See Live Meaningfully - Psalm 90. The preceding and subsequent verses show that clearly:

• Psa 90:9  For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.  
• Psa 90:11  Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? 

Science also tells us that it is wrong. The average life expectancy for Japan is 83.59 years, for Singapore is 83.1 years(Male 80.0, female 86.1 ), and WHO said that for man is about 80 and for woman 85. The life expectancy is increasing over the years.

Biblical Life Expectancy is 120

We have to go all the way back to Genesis to find it.

• Gen_6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.

And we have Moses to testify to it in:

• Deu 34:7  Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. 

Expect a Long and Healthy Life:

There is no point in having a long life if one is not healthy to enjoy the life. Some people would rather commit suicide because of the sickness of pains or immobility.  The Bible wants to emphasize that, as in the case of Moses, it will not just be long but also with vigor and good eye-sight.

If you are sick or weak, then you can base your prayer on this verse and look up the Bible for the healing promises for your recovery. See also Your Healing Prescription for Today, God's Prescription for the Healing of Your Body & ... etc.

Living Meaningfully is more important than living long

Paul says

• Php 1:23  I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 
• Php 1:24  But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 

Since heaven is better for us, God should immediately take us up to Him when we receive Him, but He did not. So, like Paul, if we are still living on earth, there must a purpose for us to accomplish here. Do you know what's the purpose that God has for you? There must be some people that God wants to save them through you. There must be some needs that God wants you, and only you, to provide.

A brother was sharing with me about what abundant life means.

• John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

He says that Christ comes to meet our needs and when our needs are met we can go on to meet His needs. Abundant life is about overflowing life to bless others, to meet the needs of others, who Jesus has identified with. Living life to the full is not just about our own lives but about others too. Because we are rebirthed as children of God with His character of love.

Eventually, 120 years is very Short

We were created not to live a very very long life but rather never to have died at all. Hence, we desire not just to live long but also to live with an eternal perspective. We look forward to meeting all those who have gone earlier than to heaven. With that perspective, may we redeem our time on earth.

May God bless you and keep you with health and purpose.

Lim Liat (c) 26 Apr 2017

Protecting and Increasing the Abundant Life

There are three types of losses that we may encounter in life. Know how to protect against such. Most importantly, know how to increase your abundance.

The Three Types of Losses

In John 10, Jesus compared Himself as the good shepherd versus the devils as thieves.

• (John 10:10) The thief(the devil) comes only

1. To steal and --- your money, possessions ...
2. kill and --- your health, lives,  loved ones ... 
3. destroy. -- your work, career, business, reputation, relationships ...

•  I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

We must know the source and their methods so that we can prevent such from happening (see Christian Warfare and the Devil's Strategies). However, if the 'thief' is more powerful that you, then you need someone who is greater than the thief. That greater One is Jesus. Not only He can protect you, He can give you more, abundance life. Abundant life is not just in materials possessions, but also in your character and the fruit of His spirit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc(Gal 5:22-23) and more in good health and relationships.

The Ingredient that Gives the Increase

Our warfare is more than just physical (Eph 6:12) so that our flesh is of no help. Spiritual warfare needs to be encountered in the spiritual world with the spiritual weapon. Jesus gives us the secret weapon - His Words.

(John 6:63) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Our abundance life begins with knowing and living out His Words. 

Paul makes it even more explicitly, the Word as the sword that can be used to attack the enemy and to destroy the enemy's destructive work, in Eph 6:17 ... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. ... 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel ...

We are called to pray in the Spirit for fellow believers and to boldly proclaim the Word to the unbelievers that they may be saved from the destruction of the enemy.

Applications:

So, we must study His Words to know His will for us, to obey them, to live them out as testimony and we shall have the abundant life as a natural outcome. We must also pray for one another and boldly proclaim the gospel of good news ---- believe and accept Jesus to receive the rebirth and the abundant life.

Lim Liat (c) 24 April 2017

The Three Keys for Winning

How can we become an overcomer over our enemy or our circumstances? Here are the three keys: start with a right relationship, living it out, and keeping it as top always.

Bible Reference:

Rev 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. 

The Three Keys are:
they overcame him 

1. by the blood of the Lamb 
2. by the word of their testimony; 
3. they loved not their lives unto the death. 

1 The blood of the Lamb - The Children of God with Authority

• Luk 22:20  And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 

What is this new covenant? Heb 8:7-12.

• Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 
• Heb 8:11  And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 
• Heb 8:12  For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” 

Essentially, it refers to the rebirth of a believer by the Holy Spirit. We become a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). We are children of God (Gal 3:26, Rom 8:16,21, Php 2:15, 1 Jn 3:1,10, 5:2 ). We are blameless(Php_2:15) and righteous (Rom 3:22, 2Cor 5:21). As children of God, we are also given the authority to overcome the sicknesses, evils, and the enemies. Matthew 18:18, Matthew 16:18-19, Mark 6:7, Mark 16:16-19).

2 The word of their testimony - Our Witnessing

The blood is done by Christ. The word of testimony is our response to God's invitation. Our acceptance of His salvation and our obedience to His Lordship. We lived out the new life as Children of God. We share the good news of His salvation through Christ. Our living testimonies bring creditability to our words. We are the salt and the light.

• Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.

Our witnessing brings others into the Kingdom of God, snatching back them from the clutches of the enemies. 

3 They loved not their lives unto the death - Our Priority

They valued their relationship with Jesus more than their lives. The most valuable thing that we have is our lives. 

• John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.

It is about putting God as our highest priority, more than our own lives. It is actually the teaching of the first 4 of the Ten Commandments. What we put our priority, love, and trust on is our god, or rather our idols. Some idols are money, sex, career, wife, or children.

• Matthew 10:37 "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

So, winners are those who begins with a right relationship with Christ through His blood to become His Children with authority and then living them out with good testimonies that shine out His light and also to always put Christ first instead of our own as a reminder.


Lim Liat (c) 22 Apr 2017

Your Healing Prescirption for Today

Our healing prescription for today ...

1. Just ask ...

• Psa 30:2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

2. Not sure? Recall His benefits:

• Psa 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 
• Psa 103:3-4
• a. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
• b. who healeth all thy diseases; 
• c. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; 
• d. who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
• Note: all are in past tense. They have been done. 
• Remember His love for you.

3. He responded ...

• Psa 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

4. Not just physical but mental healings too.

• Psa 147:3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

5. Receive, give thanks and rejoice in the fellowship and blessings from your Heavenly Father.

• Ps 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

God's Prescription for the Healing of Your Body & Soul

God's Prescription for the Healing of Your Body & Soul that we must take daily.

When we are sick, we faithfully follow the prescription given by the doctor. We take our medicines, for some, three times daily, some twice a day. We even have to follow it carefully, some before meals, some after meals, some before sleep, and some when we just wake up. When it comes to God's medicines and prescriptions, do we take it as seriously? Here are basic foundational verses as our meditations three times daily as our medications.

In the Old Testaments, we have

Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. 

Many people think that healing refers to our spiritual healing. However, Jesus made it very clear that it was for our physical healing of the body as well in:

Mat 8:16  That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 
Mat 8:17  This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” 

Healing was mentioned first in verse 16th and then Isaiah 53:3 was quoted to show that the healing mentioned was indeed physical. The spiritual was actually the casting out of demons from the people.

Luk 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

There are five types of deliverance given by Jesus:

1. the poor - materials, 
2. the brokenhearted - mental, 
3. the captives - physical and mental, 
4. the blind - physical, and 
5. the bruised-physical and mental.

In case someone thinks the healing is just for the OT people and no longer available for the NT modern day's people like us, Peter repeated Isa 53:5 in his own words:

1Pe 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

The healing for our body and soul are included when we are forgiven and obtain the righteousness from Jesus. Sickness comes from the curse of our sins. When we are made righteous, sickness cannot stay with us. Healing comes together with our redemption through Jesus. It was not done by us but by Jesus, the Son of God, Himself for us.

Paul repeated many times about our righteousness through Jesus.

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Righteousness and healing are provided by Jesus. Receive your healing when you receive Jesus as Saviour. Proclaim to yourself, your mind and your body. By His stripes, I am healed. It may take time but as we part-take His medicines daily, let His healing flows and be realized in our mind and body.

See also The Meaning & Power of Holy Communion

Lim Liat (c) 20 Apr 2017

How to response rightly to others bad treatments?

How to response rightly to others bad treatments when you are doing the right things?

1. Be glad!

Matthew 5:12 NLT Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

• You are not the unique one. It happens to others and even to Jesus Christ - they beat Him up and hang Him!
• There is a future reward for you. God is the final judge to punish the evil and to reward the righteous. Leave the matter to God.
• How can I have the strength to be happy?

2. By His Love.

Romans 5:5 NLT And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
We are to remember that He loves us dearly and know about our sufferings and the injustice done to us. Even more so, we are rebirthed in the Spirit and the Holy Spirit has filled us with His love so that we are able to love as He loves.

3. So, we forgive as Jesus has forgiven us.

Ephesians 4:32 NLT Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

How can we tell we have forgiven someone?

• When we do not have bad feelings towards them. 
• When we don't avoid them. 
• When we can rejoice with their success. 
• When we can even pray for them when they have needs. 
• When we wish for their well-beings. 

A very tough list to follow isn't it? You don't have to do all immediately. Just present yourself and them to God. Let's God handle it for you.

Do you have any bitterness within you? Do you hold any grudges against anyone? Bring them to God and leave them at the Altar. Receive the love that God has given to you. Love with His love. Let go the burden of bitterness and hatred.

Receive the healing and the joy of the Lord. Be completely delivered. Amen.

Lim Liat (c) 19 Apr 2017

Even when we are rebellous, there is Hope of Acceptance & Transformation

No matter how bad we have been, there is a certain transformation to greatness beyond our imagination ... all because of Him:

Col 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,
Col 1:22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

1. Even when we are rebellious, evil, hostile to Him.

2. He paid the price for our redemption.

3. And transform us to be holy, blameless, without faults. In this new state, we can stand confidently before His throne.

4. The key is "Because of Him" and we don't have to do anything. It has nothing to do with our deserving or not. It is all His grace and love. It is Him who is holding our hands and not us trying to hold unto His hands. It is not about our performance to earn his acceptance but simply because of His love that we are to just rest confidently in Him.

Be happy because you are loved unconditionally. Enjoy His presence. So,

If you are sick, claim and receive His healings.
If you need help, ask and receive His guidance and aids.
If you are depressed, meditate on His love and receive the peace and joy. Said boldly as John said, "I'm the disciple whom Jesus loved".

Lim Liat (c) 18 April 2017

Read and Believe to Receive the Power of the Bible Verses

For our health ...

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and health to the bones.

Here are a few things to learn:


1. What we say or hear, the words affect our health.

2. Pleasant words are good health supplements and medicines.

3. Hurtful words are like poisons and virus to the body.

4. So speak pleasant words, correct gently, and don't curse or hurt.

5. Soul and Body are related. One affects the other. Be healthy and you will be creative and productive. Keep on learning, be happy and your health will be ok too.

6. Honeycomb is good for your bones. Here is a proof: http://www.menshealth.co.uk/…/…/Eat-honey-for-stronger-bones

7. So read the Bible carefully and believe in it for your good soul and healthy body.

Some bonus verses ...Proverb 4:
      20 My son, be attentive to my words;        incline your ear to my sayings.
      21 Let them not escape from your sight;        keep them within your heart.
      22 For they are life to those who find them         and healing to all their flesh. 

Lim Liat (c) 17 April 2017

The secret to a long, healthy and happy life

Do you know the secret to a long, healthy and happy life?

Do you know that the Bible and the Ancient Chinese give you the same answer!

Exercise is NOT the answer.

The answer is Godliness or A VirtuousCharacter.

Bible: 1 Timothy 4:8 ►
for while bodily training is of some value,
godliness is of value in every way, as it holds

promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Note Godliness is of value every way .... i.e. happiness, wisdom, health, wealth, good relationship, whatever is good for life and it is not just for the PRESENT life and also the FUTURE life after death.

Ancient Chinese Wisdom:
养生之道，首在养德。
Cultivating life begins with cultivating virtues.

老子 51 “道生之，德畜之，物形之，势成之。是以万物莫不尊道而贵德”
Lao Zi DaoDeJing 51:
The Dao/WORD give birth to it (life),
Virtues builds it up,
Materials shapes it (with the body),
Energy (Life Force) completes it.
Hence, all living things honor the WORD/Dao and treasure virtues.

《庄子·天地》篇说:“故形非道不生，生非德不明”
Zhuang Zi said,"Hence nothing without Dao cannot be born. Born without virtues cannot be bright (i.e. shines with light).

So, don't just go for running and other aerobic exercises, remember to do more about cultivating your virtues ... your self-control reduces your excessive desires, manage your stresses, control your impulses & greeds,etc.... Most important, discover the purpose of your life.

Continuing with the Bible, we understand contentment (be satisfied with the basic)  and godliness (don't be greedy for a start. ) ....

1 Timothy 6:6-11 

6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain.

... 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

.... 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

... 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

So, while we exercise our body, we must also exercise our brain and our spirit.

Lim Liat (c) 18 March 2017

See also Your Life Expectancy 120 or 80?

Preparing for Christ's 2nd Coming - Let's be John the Baptist

There are many end-times watchers and prophets warning that Christ is coming soon and we better get ready to be raptured or be left behind. Their intention is good but they tend to focus on showing how the events match the Biblical prophecy and left nothing to be said about getting ready. Last Sunday sermon by Ps G on being the Pioneers to open the ways provides the answer for us on how to get ready.

The Bible Reference is Isaiah 40:1-5.

1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.
2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned.
Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins.”

3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting,

• “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord!
• Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!
• 4 Fill in the valleys, and 
• level the mountains and hills.
• Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places.

5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed...

The Pastor spoke about John the Baptist as the forerunner of Christ.

To me, it speaks of us, as the John the Baptist generation, preparing the paths to welcome the 2nd coming of Christ.

We often wonder how are we to keep watch for the 2nd coming of Christ. That's the way. Laying the paths, clearing the obstacles, breaking down all lofty ideas against God, bringing the Good News Gospels to the rest of the world, including the concrete wilderness in the midst of us.

When is the end time?

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

We learned two things from the above verse:

1. We are called to bring the good news and disciple the nations (The Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20)
2. We, the believers, determine when Christ will come again!
   If we don't go out then Christ won't come. Some preachers erroneously believe that the church would be in a bad shape, that of Laodicea when Christ came again. That is a bad interpretation of the Bible. The Revelation Churches represent seven types of churches in different locations. Interpreting them as seven stages of church history is just an interpretation and it is not correct. The bride prepares herself to welcome the bridegroom in common sense. So, the church will be in good shape to receive Christ when He comes again.

How do we get ready?

1. Share the Gospel - The Good News of God's salvation of men.

v1 says "Comfort my people".  That's the good news we have. John 3:16. v2 tells us that men's sins are forgiven. The punishments were placed upon Jesus at the cross. We can now have great joy.

2. Speak Tenderly.

There are preachers who preach the hell and fire message to scare people to receive Christ. That is one way. For the present time, we need to earn the right to speak and be heard. The Bible is about grace and truth. Grace first before the truth. If we fail to earn the right to speak, our message will just be discarded. We earn our rights by love and care. 

3. Clear the Way and Make a Path to reach them

The preacher shared the following four obstacles:

1. Mountains - They block our visions. So we only focus on the present. We are nearsighted. So we create all kinds of idols and illogical reasons to try to understand the present difficulties against the knowledge of God. They represent the false religions, 2 Cor 10:5.

2. The valleys represent the difficult and challenging times of our lives. Ps 23:4, Ps 84:6. We have the Shepherd with us but they have none. Need to share with them.

3. The Crooked Paths - They took the long and winding roads (cheating) in life instead of the straight and right ways of the Lord.

4. The Rough Places represent the crises, and accidents, in life. They need the grace of God to have peace, presence, and power in life. John 16:33.

The equipment and weapons for us to achieve the above work are The Armor of God.
The church is to work together with Eph 5:11-12 shows us that the Church has the Five-Fold ministries (Strategic Job Roles) of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. In Rom 12:6-13 and 1 Cor 12:28, we find other job roles. e.g. healers, miracle workers, helpers/ Servers, organizers /rulers/managers, givers, exhorters (coaches?), and those that Sheweth-mercy. All work together in unity as members of the body of Christ to build each other up into maturity and fullness in Christ. Eph 4:13.

Don't spend too much time watching the events leading to the end times. Spend time in preparation, and laying the paths, to welcome the coming King.

See also:

• Cindy Jacobs Prophesies Blazing Isaiah 60 Movement in Body of Christ
• Preparing for Christ 2nd Coming - Part 2

Discerning the Times of God's Plan for You - Jeremiah 29:11

In this New Year period, among the believers, an often quoted verse of blessing is Jeremiah 29:11 [ESV] For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. However, if we study the context, there is much to be learned.

The Context:
Please read the whole chapter of Jeremiah 29. The letter was written to the people in exiles in Babylon. The good plan was for them to stay there, have families and build good businesses, for a period of 70 years. They are to pray for the city, their captors' city, to prosper that they may prosper with them! Their fate and their enemies are tied together by God's Will. There were different voices, especially those in Jerusalem that were not deported were preaching lies. They were the disobedient people against God and were cursed.  God's plan of blessings for the exiles was not to return home but stay. This is against the common understand that blessing is about staying home in the city of God. Eventually, after 70 years, this would be true. But for now, in this time and season, they are to stay and make a good living. Here are some key lessons for us:

Key Lessons:

1. Discerning of the Times of God is Most Important
   Yes, the Israelites will return. But God's will for them then is to stay and prosper in exile in Babylon. Those that were in Jerusalem were disobedient and they were cursed.
2. The seemingly wrong circumstances, in exiles, was actually God's plan for our good. Away from home is not a curse but a blessing.
3. It is not where you are but are you obeying God wherever you are.
4. The error is to ignore the seasons, the right timing, of God's plan.
   Yes, the Lord will bless you richly, but we must discern and follow His plan in the right time, place and with the right people.

Applications for Us in this End-Times

1. Be Busy Till I come. Luke 19:13 ESV Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’  It is common to hear sermons warning about the end-times and wanting us to be committed. But we are to be extremely careful not to be misled. Different people are called to do different things. Unless otherwise, continue to do what are doing, but with a new perspective if you have already not, of God's will and urgency.
2. Relook at another frequently quoted verses Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
   and he will make straight your paths.
   Such a verse can easily cause misunderstanding. We tend to make our plan first and try to get God to endorse it. The order should be seeking God first and then let Him guide us to make the plan. So NLT gets it better: 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
3. If you find yourself now away from home. Do not be discouraged. God's plan is about living at the right place, time and people. 

Lim Liat (c) 2 Feb 2017

New Year Blessings From the Bible - One More Step

In the previous post, The New Year Wishes from the Bible - 9 Steps to a Fulfilled Life, the verses were taken from someone post. By googling for more posts, I can find more verses. So I add them to the existing mind-map. Many verses are repeats. But I found some verses can be grouped together under a new heading called "Let Your Light Shine". Living a meaningful Christian life is about testifying for God. So this added step brings us to "10 Steps to a Fulfilled Life".

The 10 Steps:

The Corresponding Bible Verses:


The full text:
If you find reading the mind-map difficult due to its size. Here is the text.

God's Word for Your New Year 神给您新年 的话语

• New Year's Bible Verses - Live Life to the Full
  祝福满满的过一生
  
  • - Read what Scripture tells us about God's promises and face the new year with hope!读圣经让我们认识神给我们的应许，使我们能充满希望的面对新的一年！
  • Our Lord wants us to seek out His will for our lives and to live life FULLY alive.我们的主希望我们去寻求他为我们的旨意，让我们能完全活着。
  • Stop Satan's goal in making you feel defeated and overcome, you can start this New Year renewed!战胜撒但要我们失败的目标，让我们更新了来过新年！
• 1 God Did it for You - God Saved You
  神已经拯救您了
  
  • Psalm 98:1 Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.诗98:1 你们要向耶和华唱新歌，因为他行了奇妙的事；他的右手和他的圣臂，为他施行拯救。
  • Acts 3:19 “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”使徒行传 3:19   所以你们应当悔改归正，使你们的罪得着涂抹。 20   这样，那安乐的日子，必从主面前来到，并且他必把为你们预先选定的基督（耶稣）差来。
• 2 Your New Self - Old is Gone - You're a New Creation
  您是新造的人，旧事已经过去
  
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!哥林多后5:17如果有人在基督里，他就是新造的人，旧事已经过去，你看，都变成新的了！
  • 1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,彼得前书 1:3   我们主耶稣基督的父 神是应当称颂的。他照着自己的大怜悯，借着耶稣基督从死人中复活，重生了我们，使我们有永活的盼望，
  • Ezekiel 11:19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.以西结 11: 19   “我要把一颗心赐给他们，把新的灵放在他们里面；我要从他们肉体中除掉石心，赐给他们肉心，
• 3 Put on Your New Self - Your New Behavior
  穿上了新人,有新的行为
  
  • Colossians 3:9-10 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.歌罗西 3:9   不要彼此说谎，因为你们已经脱去了旧人和旧人的行为，
      10   穿上了新人。这新人照着他的创造者的形象渐渐更新，能够充分认识主。
  • Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.以弗所 4:22   就要除去你们那照着从前生活方式而活的旧人。这旧人是随着迷惑人的私欲渐渐败坏的。    23   你们要把心灵更换一新，    24   并且穿上新人。这新人是照着 神的形象，在公义和真实的圣洁里创造的。
  • Phil. 3:13 “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.”腓立比书 3: 13   弟兄们，我不以为自己已经得着了，我只有一件事，就是忘记背后，努力面前， 14   向着目标竭力追求，为要得着 神在基督耶稣里召我往上去得的奖赏。
    
• 4 God will Bless You - Be assured
  神的看顾使我们安心
  
  • Deuteronomy 7:13 13 He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and olive oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you.申命记 7：13   他必爱你，赐福与你，使你人数增多，也必在他向你的列祖起誓应许给你的地上，赐福与你身所生的，你地所产的，使你的五谷、酒、油，以及牛犊和羊羔增产。
  • Isaiah 54:1-5 “Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. 2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. 4 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. 5 For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.以赛亚54:1   不能生育、没有生养过孩子的啊！你要欢呼。没有生产过的啊！你要发声欢呼，高声呼喊。因为弃妇比有夫之妇有更多儿子。这是耶和华说的。  2   要扩张你帐幕的地方，伸展你居所的幔子，不要限制；要拉长你的绳索，坚固你的橛子。   3   因为你要向南向北扩展，你的后裔必占有列国之地，又使荒废了的城镇有人居住。   4   不要惧怕，因为你必不致蒙羞；也不要抱愧，因为你必不致受辱，你必忘记你幼年时的羞愧，也不再记念你寡居时的耻辱。5   因为造你的，就是你的丈夫；万军之耶和华是他的名；救赎你的，就是以色列的圣者；他被称为全地的 神。
• 5 God's Plan for You - A Good Future
  神给您美好的计划
  
  • Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.耶利米29:11   因我自己知道我为你们所定的计划，是使你们得平安，而不是遭受灾祸的计划；要赐给你们美好的前程和盼望。’这是耶和华的宣告。
  • Proverbs 23:18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.箴言23:18   因为万事必有结局，你的盼望也不会断绝。
  • Ps. 20:4 “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”诗篇 20:4   愿他照着你的心愿赏赐你，实现你的一切计划。
  • Ps. 65:11 "You crown the year with your goodness, and your paths drip with abundance."诗篇 65:11   你以恩典为年岁的冠冕，你的路径都滴下脂油，
• 6 God is Doing a New Thing - The Impossible is made Possible
  神作一件新事 - 不可能变可能
  
  • Let Go of the Past放下过去
    
    • Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?以赛亚书 43:18   “你们不要怀念先前的事，也不要思念古时的事. 19   “看哪！我要作一件新的事；现在它要发生了，难道你们还不知道吗？我要在旷野开一条道路，在荒地开挖江河。
      
  • Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.以赛亚43:19   “看哪！我要作一件新的事；现在它要发生了，难道你们还不知道吗？我要在旷野开一条道路，在荒地开挖江河。
  • Revelation 21:5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”启示录21:5   坐在宝座上的那一位说：“看哪，我把一切都更新了！”又说：“你要写下来，因为这些话是可信的、真实的。”
• 7 God's Love for you is renewed everyday - He is with you, always.
  神的慈爱每天早晨都是新的；
  
  • Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.耶利米哀歌 3:22   耶和华的慈爱永不断绝，他的怜悯永不止息。23   每天早晨都是新的；你的信实多么广大！
• 8 Let your Light Shine 让你的光照亮他人
  
  • -Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."马太福音 5:14   你们是世上的光。建在山上的城是无法隐藏的；15   人点了灯，不会放在量器底下，而是放在灯台上，就照亮一家人。
    
  • -1 Peter 1:13 "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."彼得前书 1:13   所以要准备好你们的心，警醒谨慎，专心盼望耶稣基督显现的时候所要带给你们的恩典。
  • -Galations 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."加拉太书 5:22   但圣灵的果子是仁爱、喜乐、平安、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、 23   温柔、节制；这样的事，是没有律法禁止的。
    
  • God’s Timing等待神的时间
    
    • Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7)诗篇37:7   你要在耶和华面前静默无声，耐心地等候他；不要因那凡事顺利的，和那恶谋得逞的，心怀不平。
• 9 When the Going is Hard - Hope in the Lord - Be Strong
  对神的盼望使我们过难关
  
  • Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.罗马书8:18   我看现在的苦难，与将要向我们显出的荣耀，是无法相比的。
  • Psalm 31:23-24 Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full. 24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.诗篇31:23   耶和华的众圣民哪！你们都要爱耶和华；耶和华保护诚实的人，却严厉地报应行事骄傲的人。24   所有仰望耶和华的人，你们都要刚强，坚固你们的心。
  • Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.罗马书5:5   盼望是不会令人蒙羞的，因为 神借着所赐给我们的圣灵，把他的爱浇灌在我们的心里。
  • Micah 7:7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.弥迦书 7:7   至于我，我却要仰望耶和华，我要等候那拯救我的 神；我的 神必应允我。
  • -Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”申命记 31:6   你们要坚强勇敢；不要害怕，也不要因他们畏惧，因为耶和华你的 神与你同去；他决不撇下你，也不离弃你。”
  • -Matthew 6:25 Worry Not ...Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?"马太福音6:25   所以我告诉你们，不要为生命忧虑吃什么喝什么，也不要为身体忧虑穿什么。难道生命不比食物重要吗？身体不比衣服重要吗？ ...33   你们要先求他的国和他的义，这一切都必加给你们。
    
  • -2 Timothy 1:7 Fear Not … for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.提摩太后书 1:7   因为 神所赐给我们的，不是胆怯的灵，而是有能力、仁爱、自律的灵。
  • Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.箴言 3:5你要一心仰赖耶和华，不可倚靠自己的聪明;  6   在你一切所行的路上，都要承认他，他必使你的路径平坦正直。
    
• 10 Even When Old - You can outdo your youth
  年老了反而胜过年青的
  
  • Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORDwill renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.以赛亚40:30   就是年轻人也会疲乏困倦，强壮的人也会全然跌倒。 31   但那些仰望耶和华的人，必重新得力；他们必像鹰一样展翅上腾；他们奔跑，也不困倦，他们行走，也不疲乏。

Lim Liat (c) 1 Feb 2017

The New Year Wishes from the Bible - 9 Steps to a Fulfilled Life

Instead of the usual Chinese New Year greetings of "Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.", it may be more meaningful and empowering to know the what the Bible says. Here is a reorganization of what I found on the internet and presented in a mind-map form to help our understanding. It starts with God, giving us a New life, and the ever assurance of His plan and love for us to live our life to the full. Even when the going is tough, or when we are old, we can always count on Him to go forward and even outdo our youth! Praises to God.

I was googling on the internet and found 27 Bible Verses for the New Year - Inspiring Promises for Your Life!. A good way to benefit more from reading it is to try to reclassify them into meaningful steps so that we can find the flow of the logic and rationale of the verses. So here is my derived work as shown in a mind-map form:

The 9 Key Steps:

The Corresponding Bible Verses:

Wishing you a fruitful 2017 as you find out the will of God and His promises for you.

See also More than Just a New Year Wish

Lim Liat (c) 29 Jan 2017