Food For Thought: TRY READING THIS IF YOU CAN!

Try reading this if you can:

Isn't this amazing? It is simply because our mind processes these words not by every letter on its own but as a whole that we are able to understand what we read even though the letters are all scrambled up. But what's the key point of all this? 

This is it:

We understand things in their entirety and not by their parts.

Essentially, that is how the human mind works, but there is much more beauty to this than meets the eye. The same principle can be applied to understanding the world around us!

"The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible."

 Albert Einstein, "Physics and Reality" (1936)

How true is that! It's simply mind boggling to know that we can understand the world around us, how it works and what it does... despite the fact that we are simply of small part of this entire colossal ecosystem! Think about it: We are humans, but tear us down to the molecular level and you will realise we are nothing but dust. You may cut open a human brain but you will see no mind. You may detect chemicals in our brain but you will find no thought. Yet, despite all this, we are complex creatures, capable of thinking complex thoughts, understanding complex feelings and conjuring complex ideas. Isn't this the amazing work and design of God, our creator?

If you look at the world by its pieces, they make little sense on their own. But take everything and piece them all together, it will leave you standing there marveling and in awe of God's beautiful creations! If you look real close, you WILL see God's creative design in everything!

The Splendor of His Creation

Matt

"Commandments: More Than Just Instructions" - On Reading Deuteronomy 5

Hello :)

When Moses declared the laws and decrees to all Israel, he proclaimed the Ten Commandments, and told the people to be careful to follow them.

Today, these commandments probably aren't taken with the same weight as you would expect during Moses' time. However, it's purpose and value still holds its significance. In discussing these commandments, it is common to fall victim to following the laws blindly without exercising wisdom. Take the Pharisees for instance, they studied the law more than anyone else, and upheld these commandments to the highest degree; yet they fell short of following them wholeheartedly for they did not understand God's intentions.

How can one follow a commandment with his heart if he does not understand its role? 

Obedience, without meaning and love, is drudgery.

That being said, what do the commandments really mean, then? What is its significance?

Well, simply put, in my interpretation, I think that the commandments form an instruction manual. For what, you might ask. The Ten Commandments are simply instructions to teach us (and the people of Israel) how to love. I won't go into detail the commandments themselves for I do not fully know all of them myself. Essentially, the people had to be taught love. They needed to understand what it meant to love God and His people - by obeying His commandments! If we truly loved God and our brothers and sisters, then these commandments become anything but a checklist of drudgery and restraint.

Today, we have a seemingly easier commandment to abide by: To love God and to love our neighbour. We follow this because Jesus told us so. However, if you'll dig deeper, you'd realise that this is really no different from the Ten Commandments. Let me illustrate:

                           Love God                                                    Love Your Neighbour

              I am the Lord, your God                                    Honour your Father and Mother
              No other gods before Him                                                Do not murder
             Do not worship any idols                                          Do not commit adultery
       Do not misuse the name of your God                                      Do not steal
    Observe the Sabbath by keeping it holy             Do not covet anything of your Neighbour's
              
Like Jesus said: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:17)

But that's not all! These commandments are more than mere instructions! They are God's tools for us - to guide us onto the path He has set for us! 

Deuteronomy 5:33 says: "Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." God wills for us to follow His commandments not just to teach us how to love but also to prosper us! How great is that! The way I see it, when we obey His commandments, we learn to love Him and the people around us. We become more like Jesus. We better our relationship with God as well as with our brothers and sisters. We become more persevering, more forgiving, more caring, more loving, more humble, more devoted, more dedicated, more patient, more assured... the list goes on! Isn't it wonderful, how following His word can lead to inner transformation in us? I think it's beautiful, to say the least.

If you're reading this, I implore you to renew your commitment in following His commandments and His word. Always remember that these words aren't simply rules to follow; they are God's instruments that will teach us love and prosper us! Let it take effect today!

Matt

Treatment, Not Painkillers!

Hello! 

Just a short post to share a little epiphany :)

Recently, I had suffered a pretty bad back strain and I could not straighten my back. This led to me having issues lying down (which meant pretty bad sleep) as well as some difficulty breathing. After visiting the polyclinic, I was given painkillers, which was not to my surprise. However, I was led to question: "What really is the point of administering painkillers? Why not just get to the root cause and treat the problem?" I suddenly drew a parallel of this to the forgiveness of Jesus.

Some people treat the forgiveness of Jesus as painkillers (myself included). When we feel the pain and the guilt, we are told that if we confess, we will be forgiven and be made righteous by the blood of Jesus. We do so. We confess, we seek forgiveness, we ask God to strengthen us. And then when we feel less guilty and slightly better about ourselves, we make the same mistake again without much consideration. The pain is gone temporarily but it comes back. The problem remains untreated. What I see is a vicious cycle. Is this really the way to go?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that everyone's like that; well, in fact I don't even know anyone but myself who's like that. After all, we wouldn't possibly know, would we? But the point is clear - the forgiveness of Jesus should be taken seriously with gratefulness and thanksgiving. This is to say, having received grace and mercy from the Lord, we DO NOT make the same mistakes again. Yes, it's easier said than done, I know. However, you are not going through this alone! God is with you! He has already promised to deliver you from sin if you will trust in Him! If you'll choose to abide in Jesus, you WILL overcome sin! 

Brothers and Sisters, the walk with God is undoubtedly one of the toughest walks in life, I will not deny that. But let us also recognize that God is with us in this journey! Let us remember to repay God's forgiveness with repentance and obedience. That's really the least we should do. The forgiveness of Jesus is the cure of sin, not a painkiller! 

If you're feeling the same way as I do, I implore you to renew your commitment to God with me! Let us continue to persevere with an iron will, let us overcome sin once and for all! This, we do by living our renewed lives for God and by abiding in Jesus. Because He lives, we are forgiven! Let us honour this! :)

Lord, I pray that all who read this will find a renewed spirit in following and obeying you. Grant them the strength to overcome their sin, and continue to work in their lives and transform them. Lord, continue to forgive them as they continue to persevere. May they come to know you more each and every day and delight in your glory evermore. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen!

Take care and have a good week ahead!

Matt