The Necessary Preparations

Jesus received water baptism? (Mark 1:9-11) I used to wonder why. Some says He is setting an example for us, Christians to follow. Is that all??

Crossway Bible Guides for Mark 1:9-13

Jesus is already some 30 years of age when He first appears in Mark's story. (Luke 3:23) Mark is not interested in writing a detailed biography of Jesus' life; rather, his aim is to present to us the significant events that took place in Jesus' ministry. (Deb: That explains Mark, the book of action)

Quietly, Jesus enters the stage as one of the crowd coming to John the Baptist to be baptized. Nazareth has been his home during these hidden years of growth and development (John 1:46). He would have received an elementary education, studied the Jewish Scriptures and worked alongside his father, Joseph in the carpenter's shop. But now the waiting-time was over. God's time had come. It was time for Jesus' brief ministry to begin.

It may surprise us that the one whom we understand to be sinless should come to a baptism that was for those who needed forgiveness (verse 4). Matthew, in his gospel, records how reluctant John was to baptise Jesus (Matt 3:13-14). We can understand John's hesitancy. The clue to understanding why Jesus was baptised is in the word "identification".

Firstly, Jesus was identifying with the message and ministry of John the Baptist. Jesus was giving His seal of approval to all that John had been saying and doing. But secondly, and at a deeper level, Jesus was identifying with sinful men and women. It was the first step on His journey to the cross, where He would be fully "numbered with the trangressors" in Isaiah 53:12. The One who was to baptise with the Holy Spirit comes to the baptism of sinners as their representative. His baptism was the beginning of the costly identification that culminated in His death on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21).

As Jesus came up out of the water the sky was "torn open". The word Mark uses is a violent one that was used of ripping a cloth in two, from which we get our word "schism". It was the answer to Isaiah's longing that God would "rend the heavens and come down" (Isaiah 64:1). But in vivid contrast to the violent tearing, a gentle dove descends. God's Spirit, that can be likened to wind and fire, can also be pictured as a dove. Mark begins and ends with a tearing (1:10, 15:38) and a voice confessing this sonship (1:11, 15:39).

The voice from heaven (it seems likely that other would have heard it as well as Jesus) is thought to bring together 2 Old Testament images of the coming Messiah. "You are my Son" is an echo of Psalm 2:7 and "in whom I am well pleased" reflects Isaiah 42:1. Neither is an exact quotation, but we can see here a combining of the royal King of the Psalms and the suffering servant of Isaiah. Jesus is both the King who reigns and the Saviour who suffers.

At His baptism, Jesus is commissioned and empowered for His ministry. Then the battle begins! Immediately His calling is tested. (Mark 1:12-13) This is His necessary preparations, for miracles.

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GOD LOVES YOU

Are you having the same predicament at the moment? Being tested on every side??

Comrades, in times of harship, dfficulty, testing and trial, know that something great is just waiting ahead. Do not give in to those lies of the evil ones. Jesus has overcame it all when He was challenged with the 3 most despicable & detestable lies (Matthew 4:1-11). Now, isn't the Holy Spirit living in you to empower you to do greater things than that He has done? Aren't you the temple of the Spirit? Remember, you have been "crucify" with Christ the moment you received your baptism. The life which you now live, you live by faith in the Son of God who loved you and gave Himself for you! The road that leads to life may be painful, it is narrow. But beyond that journey, will you eventually see a broad highway, leading you to a land flowing with milk and honey; true blessings! Keep running!

When the going gets tough, lift up your head and see your Heavenly Daddy saying, "You are my son (daughter) in whom I am well pleased". After that violent tearing and expanding of your faith and trust in Him through circumstances and situations, will come the comfort and love of God from above like a gentle dove. Hang on!

If the devil tries to speak again, look at him in the eyes and shout, "Who are you!?! Who are you that you should even dare to say this to me!! (How dare you!)* Yet, in all these things I am made more than conquerors through Him who loved me!" (Romans 8:37). Know that, you can even conquer fear of failure! Afterall, we have already won! It is just a false projection which makes us think we fail! In fact, we can never fail God when He has won it for us! Not us winning it but He did it, just for us! Therefore we stand righteous, acknowledging His work on the cross! You don't have a doubt on the effectivess of His blood, do you? ;) You too, are prepared to fight the battle. So, fight back!

Let's pray....

"Lord, I thank you for all that You have done for me. That identification certainly takes up a lot of You and even You, Your life. Yet, You still chose to drink that cup of suffering for me. Despite of the things that I have to go through, despite of the situations I see, despite of the ugliness in lives I need to endure, now I know, life is beautiful with You, around! With You living in me and I in You! I will keep on seeking to know You daily. I will keep on running for people who do not know You and are needing of You. For I am made more than conquerors! You are my strong tower. I can run to You and be found saved! Thank you, Lord. You are simply wonderful. Amen."

P/s. Keep running, hang on and fight back. Then it goes back to keep on running again.

Hebrews 4:14-16

* The fierce and violent side of Debbie :P

On Fathers' Day

21th June 2009.

This day, I would say is the most memorable Fathers' Day ever for the past 23 years. Nope, there wasn't any resurrection of the dead nor was I celebrating with anyone dear to me.

I could still remember that worrisome and shaky voice over the phone few weeks after I got to know a freshie in town.

Sunday. Lunch was interrupted when an elderly man, in his fifties, approached the few of us. (Well, not that few actually). He was looking for a place for his son to stay in OUR area as his course in UTAR is expected to commence on June. With the Lord,-I-have-lesser-time-for-good-works-now-that-I-have-started-working-and-so-I-shall-grab-every-opportunity-that-comes-my-way kinda heart, I (and the others) talked to the father and finally exchanged our numbers. Never did I know that through this ordinary acquaintance would I learnt something that I have never felt before throughout the years of my life. A father's love.

I called the father and suggested that he comes over to Menara Alpha after browsing through those notice boards. We visited two apartments and finally they settled for the latter. He was appreciative of my help though I know I didn't help much. I was only being there. Haha. Guess, a princess' presence does make a difference, don't you think so? =P

Few days later, I received a call from the father and promised to make arrangement for sports, for this precious son of his. In short, we got to know him better.

"5.30am?? That's crazy!" I woke up one day and realised that I had a missed call at 5.30am. It was the father. I must had been too tired, didn't realise he called. I didn't bother to return the call and only found out in the afternoon that the son was harrassed by an evil spirit in his room that night (or morning). Following that, I received even more calls from the father.

We visited his house, prayed, worshipped and taught him for a few rounds. Still, it doesn't calm the worried dad. He decided to drop by last Saturday (THE day), to anoint every door and window of the house. Each of us take turns to lay hand on the son and prayed as requested by the father.

Finally, the father started his prayer. He addressed the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He then declared the name (or attributes) of God; Jehovah Rapha (The Lord who heals), Jehovah Nissi (The Lord our banner) etc, claiming God's promises (for who He is) over his son. I did for a moment wonder if the son understood what he was praying. (I repent, Lord! What was I thinking, man??) However, my heart melted nearing the end of the prayer. He broke into tears.

All reasoning just vanished when I, for the first time felt how strong a (natural) father's love can be. It was a rare and precious moment. A moment of pain in the yet loving heart of a father. What else can I say? Those numerous calls at odd hours asking for help, which I admit can be quite annoying, now seem so inconsequential. It doesn't matter anymore. For I had just seen a tiny glimpse of God's love for me.

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Friends, pause for a moment. Stop the walking and start looking around you. Is there anything that you lack of? Or is there anyone whom you loved so dearly dissapointed you? Look up. The Father is watching over you from above. Does He care when you go through the rough journey of life? Does he even bother to answer you when you call? Does He ever feel annoyed every time you call up to Him at odd hours? Does he shed any tear seeing your sufferings & pains?

Look at the cross. Look at those bruises and stripes on His body. Isn't these weight far greater than tears visible to your eyes? Isn't these speak louder than a call from your loved ones? He cares, my friend.

Open up your heart and receive this love. He will never dissapoint you, EVER! Period.

"Lord, I receive your love to me. I now know that no matter what happens, You are my shelter, the One I can run to. No longer I am alone. No longer I am unworthy. No longer I am filthy. For I am precious. I am bought with a price, a price so high that it requires You to die for me. What else can I say Lord, but thank you for loving to me. I belonged to You. In Your name, Amen."

Isaiah 53:4-6, Psalm 91:14-16

Hope of His Glory

Hi folks, it has been a long long time since i last updated my blog. The commercial certainly took very long.

Life has been very challenging thus far. As the saying goes, the only thing that remains consistent in life is change! How true.

Had been working for nearly 6 months and have seen so many things that used to be unexplored in my life. The different types of people the Lord put in my life really amazes me at times. Working under a lady boss in her forties, still single, wasn't easy. (lol) It is so much easier to be led by outspoken, quick and firm leaders. Yet, I have learnt to humble myself (though still not totally) even though it took a whole lot more of me than I thought it would be. Many times, I complained (in the heart and repented of course. lol), wondering why things were done in a manner that incurs much more wastage, unecessary effort and most of all my time! In fact, many people questioned, but deep down I know He was teaching me something. Afterall He directed me to this job, didnt He? Only God knows. ;)

Reality of this world hit me hard but for a good cause. The cruelty lies underneath those sugar coated words of courtesy is so unbearable. Though not directed to me most of the time, I can feel the damage it can bring to a life. Why? I often wonder. Aren't all of them are just trying to secure their rice bowl? Why then putting people down the way they did in order to prove that they are more capable?

All of this then just directed me to the love of God. The only reason He came is to bring hope to all! In fact, the only thing all of us; the world NEED is hope! HOPE OF HIS GLORY! The glory that we anticipate to see when He comes back to take us up again. That's the greatest glory. Once they know that hope, they will know that all the things they have been pursuing will come down to nothing the moment Christ comes. It doesn't matter (so much) anymore. Wouldn't life be much happier when people starts to sell their possession and share with others like in the Early Church instead?

So people, let's run and shed some light into others' path. For Your love Lord, is all we need. Amen.

P/s. Am in office, so can't write any longer. To be continued yah! ;)

Comrades, rejoice in the hope of the glory of God as you continue faithfully running this journey of faith for this hope will never dissapoint you! [Romans 5:1-5] Cheers!

We'll be right back after the commercial~